^^ 







ULLETIN 

OF THE 

N e wport H ist orical S ociety 

Number Thirteen NEWPORT, R. I. July, 1914 



The Quakers in Ancient Newport 

SYNOPSIS OF A PAPER 
Read Before the Society at the Annual Meeting, May twenty-ninth 

By 
Mr. THOMAS W. BICKNELL 



J All writers of history of the Stale of Rhode Island and Providence 
Plantations have failed to give due credit to the part the Island of Rhode 
Island enacted in our early Civil, Social, political and reliizious life. 
Rhode Island has been properly styled the first Commonwealth in the 
world to exemplify the doctrine of soul liberty in a political organiza- 
tion, the point of view of this "lively experiment," has been taken at 
Providence and Roger Williams has been seized as the great figure in 
the portrayal of the workings of the actors of that most remarkable 
period. As a consequence of the foreshortening of the historic perspec- 
tive in our early State history, Roger Williams assumes gigantic pro- 
portions, in the foreground, while William Coddington, John Clarke, 
Anne Hutchinson, Samuel Gorton, Benedict Arnold, Joseph Wanton 
and others are small figures in the background of the scene. Bancroft 
and Arnold stand together in their peculiar emphasis of the worth of 
Mr. Williams in proclaiming the doctrine of soul liberty. Neither gives 
recognition to the clearer and more {i^rfect recognition of the doctrine 
as exemplified in the Colonial governments on Aquidneck. 

My own attitude is that Newport and Portsmouth were the first to 
establish and maintain a well organized " Democratical government," 



> 



" with full liberty in religious concernments," and that the sturdy main- 
tenance of the doctri-nes of a free conscience in a civil state had a more 
satisfactory illustration in Rhode Island Colony than in its Sister Colony, 
Providence Plantations, at the head of the Hay. Still further, I main- 
tain that the Quaker element at Newport was the most consistent and 
successful illustrator and defender of the faith. It is to me a strange 
neglect that has fallen on the Quaker services and influence on the Colo- 
nial life of New{)ort and of the Colony of Rhode Island and the Planta- 
tations. Among the great facts relating to Newport history the follow- 
ing should be recognized and emphasized. 

1. The pre-Quaker movement, illustrated in the leadership of 
Anne Hutchinson and later that of William Coddington, w-as a soul- 
liberty event. 

2. The early settlement of Quakers at Newport shows it to have 
been the asylum of the men and women in search of religious freedom. 
The execution of Mary Dyer was testimony of their faith in great prin- 
ciples. 

3. The fact that Quaker governors, resident of Newport, ruled 
Rhode Island for more than a century, shows the dominance of the 
principle of Soul-liberty in the Southern Capital of the Colony. 

4. The landing of the ship Wood-house at Newport in 1652, with 
English Quakers, was a significant event in the religious life of the 
Southern Colony, giving to the body of freemen a new impulse, and free- 
dom of conscience splendid supporters. 

5. The visit of George Fox and the establishment of the first 
Quaker annual meeting at Portsmouth are significant of the attitude of 
the founders of .A quid neck plantation. 

6. The great i)ros})erity of Rhode Island Colony for a century and 
a half, its attitudes towards public education, art, science, literature, its 
influence over the colon}' in all political and social movements, its com- 
plete defence in legislation and its practical illustration in the life of the 
people for the doctrine of soul-liberty, were the fruits of Quaker senti- 
ment and civilization. Gentile and Jew, Roman Catholic and Protes- 
tant, Pilgrim, Puritan or Agnostic, all found a quiet home and consistent 
support among the peace-loving proprietors of Newport. 

My own deliberate judgment is this, that the world owes a greater 
(lel)t of homage for the clean, definite and i)ractical illustration of soul- 
liberty, as illustrated in social, civil, industrial and religious concerns, 
to Newport, under the guidance of William Coddington, John Clarke, 
Nicholas Easton and the Wantons than to Providence, under the direc- 
tion of I\o<rer Williams and his associates. 



2,. 



Annual Meeting of the Society 

The annual meeting was held in the Society's Rooms on May 29th, 
with the President in the chair. Owing to the absence of the President 
during the most of the past year no report was presented by him. 

The following Reports were read : 



REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 

Since the last annual report the Society has held four regular and 
two special meetings, and addresses have been given as follows : 

May 27, 1913, Election Day in Newport. A Recollection of Child- 
hood, by Miss Mary E. Powel. 

August 18, 1913, On the So-called Portrait of Governor William 
Coddington in the City Hall at Newport, by Mr Hamilton B. Tonipkins- 

Some Broadsides in the Collection of the Society and others, by 
Mrs. Charles Warren Lippitt. 

November 17, 1913, Newport Cemeteries.. A paper by the late 
Hon. Robert S. Franklin, read by the Librarian. 

January 22, 1914, When the Old Century was Young. Recol- 
lections of Jamestown, by Mr. Henry W. Clarke. 

February 16 and March 18, The Newport Historical Society in its 
Earlier Days, by Miss Edith May Tilley. 

Reminiscences of some of the Earlier Members, by Miss Mary E, 
Powel. 

At the close of the business meetings, tea has been served in the 
museum, and a short time devoted not only to social intercourse, but to 
the examination of new and interesting exhibits 

At each business meeting the Librarian has read a detailed I'eport 
of her work and the number of accessions to the collections. 

The following are a few of the items of business transacted at 
different meetings of the Society and Directors. 

In November, the minutes of the joint cgmmittee meeting of this 
and the Natural Histoiy Society were read, and resolutions were adopted 
inviting the latter to meet in our rooms, and, in view of the fact that 
more space is absolutely necessary for our Society, requesting them to 
restore to us the land now occupied by their building. 

At a special meeting, January 22, Mr. Frank K.Sturgis was c4ected 
to the office of 2d. Vice President, to fill the vacancy caused by the 



death of Hon. Robert S. Franklin ; and Mr. Alfred Tuckerman was 
elected to the office of 3d. Vice President, then held by Mr. Sturgis. 

The quorum of the Board of Directors has been changed to tive, 
and that of the Society to ten, by so amending the By-laws. 

The Directors have had five meetings during the year, at which the 
routine business has been transacted, members elected, etc. 

At the November meeting, the Librarian read a letter from Com. 
Arthur Curtiss James, in which he offered the sum of $5000 definitely 
toward a new fire proof addition, and making safer our old meeting 
house; this sum to be raised to $7,500 if the society would raise a 
similar amount. 

The Librarian was instructed to thank Mr. James, and the following 
committee was informally appointed, and ratified at the next Directors' 
meeting, to discuss the addition to the Buildings : Chairman, Hamil- 
ton B. Tompkins, Com. Arthur Curtiss James, Rev. Roderick Terry, 
Mrs. Thomas A. Lawton, Mrs. E. French Vanderbilt, Mrs. John La Farge, 
Mrs. David King, Miss Maude L. Stevens, Miss Edith May Tilley, Mr. 
Alfred Tuckerman, Rev. George V. Dickey, George H. Richardson, 
Jonas Bergner, Mr. Job A. Peckiiam, Mr. Charles ^f. Cottrell. 

This commitee, a majority being present, met on January 6, 1914, 
and discussed plans for the proposed improvements. The Museum was 
examined and it was agreed that safety and space were greatly needed, 
and that a strenuous effort should be made to accept Mr. James' 
generous offer. Miss Tilley and Mr. Bergner were appointed a sub-com- 
mittee to draw up plans, which they presented at a second meeting of 
the committee, held January 13th. Dr. Terry kindly offered to make 
an effort to raise the required amount, and Mr. Bergner was asked to 
have the plans put in proper shape for estimates. At a Directors' 
meeting January 26, the acts of the committee were ratified. 

We have this year added to our list, 28 annual members, 3 sustain- 
ing, and 7 associates, and though we must report the loss of 11 b}' death 
or change of residence, the present total number on our roll is 334. If 
during the coming year, eacli member would present at least one new 
name, how easily would the membership be doubled and our scope en- 
larged. 

Five members of the Society have deceased during the year, our 
honored 2d. Vice President Robert S. Franklin, Rear Admiral Silas 
Casey, Mrs. William Woodward, Sr., Mrs. Frank H. Rosengarten, and 
Miss Mary B. Burdick, 

Respectfully submitted, 

John P. Sanborn, Secretary. 



REPORT OF THE TREASURER 

1914 

To Balance $9 16 

" Received from Librarian 1,584 75 

" State of Rhode Island 500 00 

" Estate J. M. K. Southwick 1,48101 

" " City of Newport 55 50 

" Interest 21 60 





$3,652 02 


By amount paid Edith M. Tilley 


S 1,000 00 


*' " " Margaret Bloomfield 


300 00 


" " " Mabel Simpson 


230 00 


" " Janitor 


421 71 


" Telephone 


34 11 


" " " Insurance 


70 00 


" Interest 


299 00 


" Water 


22 00 


" Gas 


3 90 


" Fuel 


156 00 


" " Office expenses, printing, etc. 


458 46 


" Loans paid 


600 00 


" " On acct. City of Newport for work done 55 50 


Balance 


1 34 



;^3,652 02 



BOOK FUND 

1913 

To Balance 36 31 

•• Dividends Island Savings Bank 80 80 

" Newport Historical Society, Interest on Mortgage 100 00 



Paid for books 





$217 11 




$71 54 


Balance 


145 57 




$217 11 


Henry C. Stevens, 


Jr., 




Treasurer. 



REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN 

At this meeting the Librarian has the pleasure of jiresenting her 
fourth annual report to the officers and members of the Newport His- 
torical Societ}'. 

During the past year accessions have been numerous in every de- 
partment, and noteworthy examples have been published quarterly in 
the Bulletin. 748 Books and pamphlets have been acquired, by gift, 
purchase and exchange ; several collections of manuscripts ; many old 
newspapers, pictures and relics for the museum collections. The fol- 
lowinu' tabular comparison of four years' accessions to the library records 
a dtcided gain each vear : 

1911 1912 1913 1914 

l]ooks and pamphlets 206 839 405 748 

Exchanges from the Rhode Island Societ}^ and the John Carter 
Brown Library have helped greatly, and from many sources we have 
been able this year to obtain pamphlets long desired, and to add por- 
traits of several old residents of Newport. 

To care for these collections, and arrange them for use, is the task 
entrusted to the library staff, and the fact that during the past year, 
beside 500 at the Loan Exhibition, 4,281 visitors have availed them- 
selves of the privileges of our rooms, shows that our labors have not 
been in vain. Our constant endeavor is to broaden the influence and 
usefulness of the Society, not only to members but to the community 
at large, and while we can record the number of visitors each day, no 
figures can estimate the amount and kind of ))ersonal attention devoted 
to each searcher and interested visitor 

608 letters, with requests for information, have been received and 
answered. Many of these are from far-away members, several of whom 
write from England and Italy; many are from strangers from all parts 
of this broad land, who in the course of a correspondence concerning 
some particular branch of Newport history, cease to be strangers, and 
sometimes even become members, in order that they may share in our 
efforts to preserve everything relating to our interesting past. 

^^'()rk among the children and students has been continued, and 
many groups have gathered here to illustrate their studies with our pho- 
tographs, maps and relics. Classes from the public schools and from 
the League of Cood Citizenship have been welcomed, as in other years, 
and the number of children coming individually, (and asking all sorts 
of ((uestions) has greatly increased. The General Nathaniel Greene 
Memorial Association, William Ellery Chapter, Daughters of the Ameri- 
can Ilevolution, the Society of Colonial Wars in R. I., the Newport 

6 



Improvement Association, the Newport Natural History and other 
socieiies have held meetings in our rooms. 

The Representative Council this 3'ear included in its budget the 
work upon the old town records, and since the first of April, when the 
appropriation became available, the work of restoration and indexing, 
under the personal supervision of the Librarian, has been carried on. 
With the assistance of a clerk who is employed for this purpose and 
whose presence is a great relief to your own staff, one volume has been 
arranged, and progress is being made in the slow work of indexing. 
This is a gratification to all who appreciate the charm and value of the 
perishable old papers. 

Our general reference index has been steadily growing. Every 
possible moment has been spent upon this, and it now contains 17,750 
cards which are constantly in use. Much material, however, remains 
to be indexed, and the chief " want '' of the Librarian this year is a 
small fund (not over fifty dollars) with which to engage an assistant for 
the Summer Months, to arrange and classify some of this material. 
Small contributions toward such a fund would be very welcome, and 
this would be a great help in the work of making our manuscripts and 
other collections of real use to our members and friends. 

V^olunteer assistance in arranging scrap books, which are daily be- 
coming more useful, would also be gladly received ; and this would be 
interesting and pleasant work for any member of the Society. 

Last year several needs were reported at the annual meeting, and 
the promptness and generosity with which they were supplied were a 
source of thankfulness to the Librarian. This year, aside from the 
assistance just noted, there is only one need to Avhich I must call your 
attention. For several years, the necessity for enlarged space has been 
increasing, and today it has reached the point where there is actually 
almost no room in the museum for visitors to walk about, and a view 
from the doorway is the best that can be obtained. The files in the 
newspaper room are constantly in demand, but it has now become a 
choice between more stacks which are sadly needed, or space for the 
reading tables. We can not have both. 

In the office the lack of space is also apparent. We have been 
obliged to introduce cases from the museum, and there is no room for 
the assistants to spread out their papers or catalogue cards. If a searcher 
wishes to examine manuscripts, the clerks have to^ transfer their work 
to a corner elsewhere in the building, only to find that they are disturb- 
ing readers in the library or newspaper room. To these rooms also we 
have removed pictures, etc., from the museum. There is a prospect of 
several valuable donations if a place can be found for them. 



Com. Jtinies' generous offer, and the subscriptions kindly secured 
by Dr. Roderick Terry, who also has pledged a liberal amount, leave not 
a very large sum to be raised in order to meet Mr. James' offer, and 
provide an addition which would be ample for our needs and remove 
some of the anxiety now felt for the safety of the collections and the 
charming old building which holds them. The beautiful interior is 
admired by visitors, and loved by members, and Mr. Luke Vincent 
Lockwood thought the Claggett clock fine enough to be used as an illus- 
tration for his latest book on old furniture. To preserve our priceless 
possessions should be our first consideration, and the destruction of the 
Historical Society's building and collections in the recent conflagration 
at St. Augustine, is a warning we should not fiail to heed. 

The beginnings have been made. Can we not pursue them to a 
.successful end? 

Respectfully submitted. 

Edith May Tilley, Librarian. 



We regret the loss of Mr. Hamilton B. Tompkins, from the Edi- 
torial Board, who prefers to retire from the pressure of editorial work. 



Among the many interesting manuscripts in the possession of the 
Society we have selected one to publish in fac simile in this issue which 
can not fail to attract the interest of our readers. 




Facsimile of an original manuscript presented to the Society by Hon. George 
Peabody Wetmore, relating to the Battle of Rhode Island. 



OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

For the year eiidtiig May^ igij 



President, HON. DANIEL B. FEARING 
First Vice-President, REV. RODERICK TERRY, D. D. 

Second Vice-President, MR. FRANK K. STURGIS 

Third Vice-President, MR. ALFRED TUCKERMAN 

Recording Secretary, MR. JOHN P. SANBORN 

Corresponding Secretary, MR. GEORGE H. RICHARDSON 

Treasurer, MR. HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. 

Librarian, MISS EDITH MAY TILLEY 

Curator of Coins and Medals, DR. EDWIN P. ROBINSON 

Board of Directors 
THE OFFICERS and 

FOR THREE YEARS 

MRS. HAROLD BROWN DR. WILLIAM S. SHERMAN 

MRS. RICHARD C. DERBY MR. JOB PECKHAM 

FOR TWO YEARS 

MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON MR. HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 

MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT MR. GEORGE L. RIVES 

FOR ONE YEAR 

MRS. WILLIAM R. MORGAN COL. C. L. F. ROBINSON 

MR. JONAS BERGNER REV. GEORGE V. DICKEY 



COMMITTEES 

FINANCE 

REV. GEORGE VERNON DICKEY MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON 

The Treasurer, ex-officio 

LIBRARY 

MR. GEORGE H. RICHARDSON 
The Librarian, ex-officio 

11 



BUILDINGS 

MR. GEORGE H. RICHARDSON MR. JONAS BERGNER 

DR. E. P. ROBINSON 

PUBLICATION 

REV. RODERICK TERRY 

NOMINATING 

MR. CHARLES M. COTTRELL MRS. CHARLES C, GARDNER 

MR. JOB PECKHAM 

ON LITERARY EXERCISES 

REV. RODERICK TERRY MR. JOHN P. SANBORN 

MR. HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS The President ex-officio 

INCREASE OF MEMBERSHIP 

MR. LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE MISS ANTOINETTE PECKHAM 

REV. GEORGE VERNON DICKEY 



BULLETIN 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

Number Fourteen NEWPORT, R. I, October, 1914 

NEWPORT NEWSPAPERS 
IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY 



A Paper Read Before the Society 

By 
GEORGE PARKER WINSHIP 

Of the John Carter Brown Library 



The earliest attempt to establish a printing press in the 
Rhode Island Colony of which a record has been found was made 
about the year 1705. A committee of the General Assembly had 
arranged the laws for printing, and it was proposed that the work 
should be done in the colony. The offer of a guarantee or subsidy 
of ^50 a year is said to have been made to the younger William 
Bradford, the son of the first printer at Philadelphia, if he would 
settle at Newport and do the colony printing. This plan did not 
succeed, and the laws were printed at Boston in 1719. There is 
further evidence that Newport at that time had become a place 
where booksellers flourished and where a printer might naturally 
expect to find employment, in the fact that an edition of " Leed's 
American Almanack " for the year 1713 was printed to be " Sold 
by Elkana Pembrook in Newport." 



The year before the first edition of the Rhode Island Laws 
was printed in Boston, James Franklin returned to that city after 
serving his apprenticeship in London. He set up a press and 
secured a fair share of the business from the booksellers, for 
nearly a year printing the semi-official " Boston Gazette." x\fter 
he lost this work, through a change in politics, he started a paper 
of his own, the "Boston Courant," which had a checkered career 
for the next five years as the organ of the local ' Independents," 
who refused to accept without comment whatever was done by the 
party iu power. After several conflicts with the rulers of church 
and state, Franklin was finally compelled to recognize an order of 
the Governor and Council forbidding him to print anything which 
had not been seen and approved by the Secretary of the Colony. 
His compliance with this order consisted in transferring the paper, 
at least to the extent of changing the printed name of the pub- 
lisher, to his more famous brother Benjamin, who was then em- 
ployed by him as an apprentice. It was an obvious subterfuge, 
but it served its purpose and the paper continued to appear until 
June, 1726, or later, in the name of Benjamin Franklin. 

The Franklin printing establishment in Boston was closed 
some time during the years 1726-27. The younger brother started 
off upon his famous journey to Philadelphia, while James Franklin 
removed his press and types to Newport. Another brother, John, 
was already established in business at Newport as a tallow 
chandler and soap maker, and this fact doubtless influenced James 
in selecting his new home. He had before this had dealings with 
Rhode Islanders, for in 1721 John Rhodes the shopkeeper, Captain 
John Rogers and William Claggett the clock maker, had employed 
him to print the latter's " Looking Glass for Elder Clarke and 
Elder Wightman, being a brief but true Relation of the Cause and 
Prosecution of the Differences between the Baptized Church, under 
the Pastoral Care of the aforesaid Elders" and several of their 
former members. At another time Franklin had claimed, when 
the magistrates were investigating him in connection with 
some of the charges against the government, made in his news- 
paper, that he secured his information from Rhode Island. 

Before the end of 1727, Franklin printed in Newport an 
Almanack, the preface of which is dated August 30, and "John 
Hammett's Vindication and Relation : giving an Account, 

Tu8 ooclrtj 



I. Wherein he was misrepresented in a Letter lately printed in his 
Name. II. Of his Withdrawing from the Baptist's Comnmnion. 
III. Of his uniting with them again. IV. Of his separating 
himself wholly from the Baptists and joining himself in unity to 
the People called Quakers." During the next year, Franklin 
printed two sermons, one preached by John Webb on the last day 
of the year 1727, and the other by the Rev. John Adams upon his 
ordination. For the local Church of England clergyman, the 
Rev. James Honeyman, who had resided in Newport since 1704 
as the missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel 
in Foreign Parts, Franklin printed during this year a lengthy 
religious treatise with the unusually broad minded title, " Faults 
on all sides," from the point of view of the representative of a 
body which did not take any side. Except for those who are 
curious to learn how the Anglican cleric regarded the mutually 
destructive arguments of Baptists, Quakers and Presbyterians or 
Congregationalists, the most interesting pages of this volume are 
the four at the end which remained empty after the author's 
manuscript had been completed, and which the printer utilized by 
filling them with a list of " Books sold by Edward Nearegreas, in 
Newport, Rhode-Island." There are a few over a hundred titles, 
nearly all religious in character. Among those which are 
familiar to a later generation of readers are the eight volumes of 
the Spectator, Eusebius, Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity, Heylin's 
Geography , Milton's "Answer to Eikon Bazilcion " and " Paradice, ' ' 
Wit's Commonwealth, Purchase's Pilgrimage, Locke on Human 
Understanding, and Clarendon's History of the Great Rebellion. 
The reader is assured that " These, with most other sorts of Books, 
as Practical Divinity, Controversys, Law, Physick, and Navi- 
gation, Bibles, Common-Prayer Books, School-Books, Chapmen's 
History Books and Pamphlets, Bonds, Bills, Powers of Attorney, 
Paper by the Ream, Snuff, Tea and Coffee by the Pound or 
Ounce, may be had at reasonable Rates." 

Franklin did not undertake to start a newspaper until he had 
been in Newport five years. The first issue of " The Rhode 
Island Gazette " probably appeared on Wednesday, September 27, 
1732. No copy of this, unluckily, is known to be in existence, 
and the only information regarding its contents is derived from a 
letter signed " Wm. K — g — " and dated from Boston, October 10, 



which was printed in the fifth issue, which came out on October 
25) ^72>^' In this letter the writer remarks: "I rejoyce to see 
that by your Proposals and Introdticti07i , you have in great 
Measure freed yourself from some peculiar Disadvantages, and 
obviated some Objections I expected from Popular Prejudice. If 
you suffer no Personal Scandal to have place in your Paper, nor 
make yourself a Party to any religious Disputes, there will be no 
room for Exceptions against you, but what will ly equally against 
all your Brethren in this Town, unless you should appear duller 
than any of them, which yet is no very easy Thing." 

The effort to avoid dullness was not very successful. A 
column letter on the evils of slandering one's neighbours may have 
had some local point, but it was so stupidly expressed that what- 
ever object the writer may have had entirely failed to appear. 
This was followed by a longer communication in verse, dated from 
New Haven, which is extraordinarily vulgar even for that free 
speaking age. Finally, in No. 9, the editor, over his ac- 
knowledged nom-de-guerre of Timothy Truman, a name which 
he says he feels sure will not lead to his being mistaken for anyone 
else, printed an Apology, in which he owns to the justice of the 
complaints against Will Rusty's nastiness and Cleverkm's even 
more reprehensible obscurity. He explains his own failure to 
enliven the paper by stating that he had been ill with a prevailing 
distemper, a sort of cold, doubtless something akin to the recently 
discovered la grippe, which a fortnight before had killed fourteen 
persons in a single week in the town. 

The first thirteen issues of " The Rhode-Island Gazette," 
excepting numbers one and ten, are at the Massachusetts 
Historical Society, and they fully justify the complaints of the 
subscribers to which the editor refers. Four other issues 
ought to be somewhere in Newport, where Mr. Charles E. 
Haminett, Jr., had them when he compiled his " Bibliography of 
Newport " in 1887. Luckily he made a facsimile of one of these, 
No. 17, for January 25, 1733, so that this at least is not al- 
together lost. This is much more interesting in its contents than 
any of the others that have survived. It concludes, however, 
with a warning that the paper would have to suspend publication 
unless some of the subscribers who had received it from the 
beginning paid their bills. Apparently many of these delinquents 



T H E 



j Rhode-Iflafld Gazette. 

^~^ THURSDAY, NoTEMBJit Jj. i 7 ? 2. 



An AfoLoov. 



Keaiti 




tine our, in 



ftrac 



AM fenfiMe ftndfjr Coar- 
plaiots have beea roada 
againft my Paper, that 
it*a* hUhcrto boen dull 

Tail term lt» fof whwi 
I tDoQ «oof«rs tfacra feeatt 
to be fofloe Caufe. But 
ttie WbM oogfci to Tiew 
a WHter, «t bis firfk fet 



((tie Light, tbtt « OMDpasy 
• Munclaa wko Jul under- 



meets wood 
taken to play, for tltem opott" • 'new made In- 
fttument, that cou'd not be Prefcntfy pot in 
Tabs, "Wirtiout ih? dinger ct' Wng unftrung 
6y too fuddairi a ScreW. thii Wou'd produce 
Picience, and that MuSclt. Bat tksre ase be- 
i^dei tajnjr ^hyficalRearoD* Why my Piper 
lias^m^ oat ho betters SoiSiot wbkh, fo» 
the atlsfaakxi oC my Ktf^n, I Hull briefly 
qjemion. , ' 

i. ' As" Man Nws origbifly fiwrn^d of the 
6ritn«l, -tiiete -fetfiB*' ^ -b* 4bii» -Aiialogy -be- 
tweert ihe Fruits of the Earth and the Produfl 
of hif Mind. Confine the Obfetvation to 
Orchards and Vioyards, and you will find the 
fit^'frnltj gen^imly theao, withered and taftlefsj 
t\i latrer found, fuller of Juice, and of a 

/Jietter Reliflj So that norwithltanding I have 
pick't up ii!<<i prefented my Readers with fome 
premature Wiwlfalli, there is no room to doubt, 
but that in a little Time they will be regaled 
with fuch IntelleClual Fruit ai will be nuly 
delightful to tlieir Minds. 

11 As the belt Veins of Oar are ever attend- 
ed with Heaps of Dirt and RnbSifli, which mult 
be firft removed, fo the intelleCloal Faculty, 
5n Us Rtfearch after fpeculative Knowledge. Is 
oftentimes intercepted with Datkncfs and Obfcu- 
rlty - Which was my Cafe \ but 1 hope is pretty 
veil got thro* by the Helpof CLEVERKIN 
and fome other Friends. 

III. 1 have been jrievoully feired with the 
late extraordinary Cold, which fo took away 
the Glofs of my Stile, as well as obRra&ed 
my Thoughts, that I believe my Readers by 
this Piece perceive my Dtfotder, and that 1 
am not altcgetter eomt to yet. 

But Cto make a fmall Dlgreffion) poffihty 
in the End it may he for Advancement of 
Knovsledge, that this Calamity hn attended us : 
For feveral noted Fce-icitKs have promisM to 
favour the Puhlick with a inechanlcal Account 

. of it, and', thereby ttndct it as Jiipa and 



fimiliar as the late mechanical Account given 
of Fevers. One in particular avers it to be < 
tery «»fy Task.- Far, fays he, £7 Jhneiug Na 
tilt fint Pa^rticlu cf Matter, ea'tvi in the Body, 
>»//*'■ >»« w^^siptM* mtnner ert elctttdi tbt 
JUwd-kufms Juitltnt, and obflmSti m itiCir- 
-i*rftj»»,-«»rf. J*." tiquWnm nervoron', h^Jtd 
tbro^eut ih* Cantt/t, vciiatfJ, it will h as crj/V 
to accBUMt for tbt D:f order t frodutci^ at tc dimoi- 
Qratt tht Trmth tf ^ tropifitcon im Euclid. Bat 
/ fhall fiop here, and wait till this Matter 
be nttofiz-Uatly handled by fome of thofsr 
learned Gentlemen within whofe Verge it falls. 
To return, 

IV. Self Intereft, which is at the Bottom 
of moft of the Anions of Life (altho' gild- 
ed over with other Pretehees) prompted me 
10 CMCed my Brother Hewswriters in every 
Point. To accorapli(h this cffeQuallr, I begati 
at that Part of nay Bufinels moft natural, 
altho* not the lealf difficulty in which 1 have 
met vith fo great Afliftance, that I hope I 
am not a whit ,above the lowcft of them. 
What remains Oo borrow a ThoMht from a 

oioble.PoM) is, Ta leave theidmble Shrubs, with 
which all are lot delighted, and foar a little 
higher i to whtt up my Genius, eti try if In 
the Acutetiejt ef it I tan penetrate fome of the 
Workt eef Aeture j feme qf the Dfvieet of Men^ 
Uy open the Meltgniiy end Tolly of ftvtrtl 
FrdBtees that are very Prevalent, end givt fomt 
Reafont forTbip^t, tbet never heve been yet 
ftumbl'dM. 

V. The way and manner of Direfting la 
Ufe anjoflg all my Corrafpondents runs, To 
tbt Author ef the Rhode-lfland Gatelte -, which 
I muft acknowledge has hitherto been of 
Service, by carryhig (bmething of Dulnefs with 
it in the Front of the Paper : But as it is 
a Stile us'd by all my Brethren and their 
Correfpondents, muttiit mutandit, and bell " 
fetves a Purpofe 1 have not at ptefent In 
View, IftiaU take my leave of it, abd affume 
the obfolete Name of I'ruman, which I believe 
few or none will daimt nor am I' afraid 
thai I (hall hetein be attack'd for invading 
any Man's Property at this Time of Day. Aifi 

I hope all future Letters will be dlrctted to 
me accofdki^y by my Correfpondents. 

VL If any of tt^ Brother News writers think I 
have been too free with them j in anlWer to that, 
1 fay, they may take the fame Liberty vslth 
me, if they acknowledge v the fame Time 
they have the Hh Oaofiotn but not elfe. 
fartvtttf- ' «• 
~~' Tim. Trftman. 



were Franklin's former Boston friends who had anticipated a 
renewal of the entertaining passages which had made his ' ' Boston 
Courant " so interesting, and they can hardly be blamed for 
feeling that they had been defrauded in some measure if they had 
to pay for reprinted foreign news and lists of Newport harbour 
clearances and entries. 

The date of the last number mentioned by Mr. Hammett is 
March i , and it is probable that the paper ceased to appear not 
long after that date. 

Most of the news in the paper consisted of European in- 
telligence, usually about three months old, but not at all less 
conflicting than what is received two hundred years later three 
hours after it is supposed to have happened. This foreign 
correspondence was copied directly from the Boston papers, and 
this fact added to the complaints of those upon whom the pub- 
lisher had to rely for his living. Many of his local subscribers were 
business men of means, who took in the Boston and New York 
papers, and so read all the news long before Franklin could select 
what he wanted to reprint and get it into type. His local items 
consisted principally of deaths, interspersed with reports of fires 
and tales of extraordinary feats of lightning bolts. 

There is a single item which has a modern sound, and is 
historically important because it carries back the period during 
which Newport has been a resort for persons of international 
distinction half a century furthei than is claimed for it in Mr. 
Mason's charming "Reminiscences." It appeared in No. 13 of 
the Gazette : 

" Newport, December 22. 

Last week came from Boston to this Town the Lord 
Augustus Fitz Roy, Son of the Duke of Grafton, and this 
Week went from hence by Water to New York." 

His Lordship was a great-grandson of King Charles H, and 
he was at this time doubtless on his way to visit his father-in-law, 
Col. William Cosby, who had been since 1731 the Governor of 
New York. 

James Franklin died February 4, 1735. His widow, Mrs. 
Ann Franklin, continued the business and there is nothing in the 
appearance of the books which bear her name to show that her 



husband was seriously missed in the conduct of the establishment. 
She and her daughters had been accustomed to help in the type 
setting, so that the actual change of office force was probably 
slight. Mrs. Franklin managed to keep the press going until her 
son, who had been serving an apprenticeship with his uncle 
Benjamin, returned to assume the proprietorship, in 1748. 

To the new manager, or more probably to his uncle's canny 
advice, may be due the fact that at this time the General 
Assembly decided to have its proceedings or " Schedules " printed 
for distribution among the several towns. During the previous 
hundred years these had been copied by hand with the result that 
delays were frequent and inaccuracies inevitable. 

The schedule for the October session, 1747, is the first of a 
printed series that has continued unbroken since that date. 

Franklin printed the Schedules regularly until the autumn 
of 1759. With the session for May of that year, the Secretary, 
Thomas Ward, sent out a letter, dated February 9, 1760 : 

To the Town Clerk of Glocester, Sir : — 

Yesterday Mr. Franklin (The Printer) vouchsaf'd to let me 
have all the Acts & Orders made & passed by the General As- 
sembly at the last Election. They were done before October 
Session. I sealed the first sheet of every one and corrected, with 
my Pen all the errors, that had escaped the Press throughout the 
whole. But the careless Mortal mislaid, and never found them 
till the Time first above mentioned. But as I made a heavy Com- 
plaint he sent me, a Day or two before, those he had struck off 
for sale. I examined, corrected and sealed them as usual : And 
herewith you will receive one for your Town. 

Some Sheets of June are struck off : But when this High, 
mighty, indolent Gentleman will deign to compleat the rest is very 
uncertain. 

This finding the Government egregiously imposed upon and 
myself severely censur'd for His intollerable Laziness, I have made 
use of the Power granted the Secretary last August & sent the 
Acts and Orders of that Session, with those of October, to Bos- 
ton ; where they will be printed with such Dispatch, that I have 
strong Reason to expect you will receive them both, by the latter 
end of this month at farthest. 

Your most Humble Servant 

Tho. Ward. 
Newport, Feby. the 9th, 1760 

P. S. Be so good as to read this publickly at your Next Town 
Meeting, that the Saddle may be laid upon the right Horse. 

6 



fm^- 



• THE 



.7^. 



'^-' 



■NEWPORTi 

■ ■- 'OR. ! 
-".Weekly; 

mth ih: fr,ii-t>> Ad- 




MERCURY, 

THE . 

AdvertifcA', 

vices foreign and donh'fiic. 



MONDAY, 




I7i8. 



mn«i rfifon»bly be «tf>«f)e<j, wharcYCr may be pre 
«hiclv olll pioraote the In-trtft ctihi, Coloov, i.)H •. 
mIk^ « u more vincoa-, a mure fl..D.i(hinj, aad i 
bippy P«opte, will t!i«arf(jl!y t>= intVncti.. 

V. AND «.1>Ik 




far ilut Purport, »liicli 



>riniiog.oacc from 7." 



7i< t'l^! ill Ltif^r' PtAst, Ctp Haril. nlf nrriitJ lU lUa- 

Fioml'jncc FtrdiiunJ'i Hrad QoMttrS ir Monllrf, April t. 
' -Th-cOKlcoTVcchrehMfuiiayicrtdbyOpiiulaiicn .«i:hin 
Jhdi fc. Diyi Ir wai bcllcgtd (wi Captai. itnl. a DjiacS- 
ri(t>t rjf 1 5 . M-rn ffot^i Bremen. The Gjjrrifin contii»ed of 



t of CaDDOn and Mortari s 



: foaod ii 



AKD tc murt tppefi unnccefTary, to dy loyTbinjte-l 
Ining to (he Ad»»Dta£c whieh ui(| accrria (o the trading Ptit 
•f tlin Coiony, ii> Kn.ins the Btlicfit cfn piitlic Pap«i lo in: 
fctt Adveturertienti, e^ the Exfmplc of our tietghSrmtin^ Go-" 
vetoroeoo. "here P3[,ctiare publifli'd, in con.ljicinj r/oof 
o* in gcnctii Servlrx l!l that Kefpcfi/? . ^, 

AND lot the more e.p<^ifl_ 
thij P«p«f to. the Tc^c jl Towtlirinji 
«il) betaien- to lend til th« Pijj 
(fcOiiit T«»n, with the Name of efck-Hibreriher 
on, undercover, indHireOed 10 rome|trftp«r Pcrfon, refiding 
uhete it till he attended «iih ibe letft Difficulty truhe Inh«- 
Uirinr* ift leceir^tng them, »bich they wilt be the hrfl Judjiei 
of; and a Paper »ill !« feol Reitii to ttety fijcl Pci/on, foe ' 
hiiTtouhle and Caic in deiircrlag (hem. 

A M D ji e.e.y (>V,eaion *o«M » illin-ly he rcn-'.vM, „l,:cS 
may a.il< .ih .;!,.;« to ihi-. Paper, in ir, «.lf Pu'al.caijo.. ; 
fhercfote, if it (hiHiid he C.id, that the Mt.e ii muih 'nuller th«n 
ihoGi It prcfen: poblifliM in PklUirtfH,, Kn,rct. and C>C,-, 
leeiit be c mflJe.M, ihit the Pricr u ilfo left In Ptopoitiou, 
»d lh«f cum in ihofe lar^e place., with P/o»iocei eTienH/c 
•odpopulwH, the I'apen publlOi'd atTlonift them, in ihri. ;q 
• fitiey cn«;aift'i) no moie than what inii;Kt ba compiij'd iii 
halfa Sheet ; but ai the Number of SibKiiS.ti and Ad/ei- 
lifemeni. i.erea.M, ibelr P.p.ti were inliij'H in P,o.o,ii/.n. 
AndiHl fllouM liicewifolKfaid, thM»*T,* i. eentainM in 
rhu Papse. II fomailhat AJc btfort publilh'd— It mud be 
aclcnowWd, that.ibRerpea lo Vw^ei .nd P.nidiT,,. 
who ha.c the AVintaRcof •»C(V cail^ lnl€lli(;ence, it will 
undoubtedly be Hi ;Vllihii ou^bt alHiro b? cooCdei'd, that 
ihelnhihitanii who lilldetla Ihftatie- ftom thofe tw»To•n^ 
eaonot haie an Oipnnoniiy to be (o iinmcdiaicly in.i pio- 
pcily acquaintcd.ftiatewi-*- ■ • • 



A K D jK"« >^"u.^'jet of SriVfcihera, 
mint of iHll Pallet, m fa.lwm beini; iden.i 
i.^JTfOohle whieh mwl eO„iei,i,ently be d 



I, it the C"mn»iv 



"'"•H, but (h« the Inhablisnli of 
ihl. Ccloaj^iil ehearfully promote an Undc.i.kini; o)il,|, 

THBRE .ai Reafu, ,o keli,«, th., thiaPape, wouM,' 
•iikuTioic, hi/t b:io intKxIut'd to lb; Piibl«-»i:l« ctw 



;■ •VLjn<llhor(i.f7/n»j^) Mjitb 22, The KinR of Pruflia, 

»hoBl>i»ecthtlc the 17<h, fetoutthe 19th tot CrlflVu.whero 

S'''eHejd,Q:>ailetl of hj. Atiity will be el?abli(hcd To- 

■,Xlm:M {<Uf)ut.f Rtitl r.^Sjii, i, ih Ki-ti^n e/ P,l,rJ) 
'fHAj'li^f' Advie'e;ihj; a latje Body of Piullijii Tiooju,'' * 
^tbi •rtsteft Put of Iht Gjilifon ofSrcIlin, wai 

tJVeanfieKiiffiaAlntfHlir t£^c ihem Banle, 
fevetnl Deraehrteou ot the is»t, thai weie led behind, ic- 
■eei»fd Ordetatojoin the main Hody oftheit Aimy. Five or 
tx Thouland Ituffiani have palTed the Viflula, and ohletve 
ihe Motion* of ihcitEoemiei, Ildee^ nor yet fecm 10 be de- 
tided wherhet the whole Army fhall croft thai River 

PtaROC (Ca;r<a/ if B,hemu) Mareh l<). The PiulTiant p'lfh 
the Ji«;;c ot Schweidoiir with rhe utmoft Vipour, M.i.Oij| 
Daun being upon the Marth 10 relieve it ; and 31 li.e Kitic 
i> eomini; at ihe Heaa of hi. Army to n.et MJ.a^al D.ur, 
»c eitpc^ altmoft fvery Moaicnwo heat the Ncm of a Ulaoify 
Battle. .• ^v . -"1 

Diefden. Maith «7.- "fi. Hill faid, that tht Motion, of 
Mailhal Keith lend to m altc an iovafion la Bohemia, in order 
It) favtur the Piojeai »hidi the King of Piulfia il going tj 
. c«ecolft<hhei ayinS Bohemia or Moiivia. 
Vfe LONDON". 

Afril I. Thtlaft Lettin Itom Dieflen l'.iy, thai the Pinf- 
nana ate |Iiaa<ly In Aaion on cverv Si.-le. Piinee lienry „f 
PiulEi aSt >giieft the ^tmv of Etrculion, and H^A >> 
Keith hal ralcew the Corw^and of ihe Army in Ponieianil 
apatnlJ ihe '^v.ede. and Rufliani. 

The K'fneli having berndifappoinicd in iheit itlenipr to 
pet ihto' ihe fliaightv of Gibraltar, by ihc prfveotiBf^ the 
jutifllon of Du Q?'l"rw «id De la Clua*. 'qnadinn, it i. I'ai.l 
ihe Btefl fleet, con(iHi«|; til 16 fliip. ef ihc line, :.frrr In ,-, 
manned «iih all the handi fiom the pii»ate»r., an.1 th« <leh- 
elcncv made UD with lane) me», are detcimined ro conn A: 
to l4ve Cape Breton ; an^l if they tweer Admiral HanVe, to 
artack him; aiKl afAdm, Ha«ke-.«eet c^nfiH, ofe.„;v .,>,>. ,t 
I 7 fail, feverti (hip^ have been feni to join him frODl>,-i.l.. ad 
and Plyinoutlf, 10 cn.ble him to Hop iheii loyage. 

AJmltaliyOfSce, April 11. 

UittaQ ol a Iciiet from Admiral abome to Mte^MM^A 

fecretaryofihertmiraliy, d.»ted en board hi. rii|^^^7^^ 

Ptttte, at fea, Mneh i?* Mj) ay 

•" On lie jSih ol laA momh, between €•?• c^r G.it tni 

Cailhaptna, irdl in'wiih M. du Q^iefoe, in the Foudroyant 

t-l Je, the Oiphtu. of <!4, ihe O.illamnie of t-, and the 

Pit rule i>f 14 uuBi, which ««ie the (tint (hipifem liomTox- 

l<.ntoi<i„fo,ceM,delaChiealCa.ih>;-;na. ( hul.cir f- .. ; 

my lijuadron, ihey itr^n-ediatrly r^l\»e,l(.t. ;ii.1 flreir d r*,!:!. » - 

cm touiff.-. on which I dtl.cl.edPlp.fer cuh . f •! r . 

wliiin <hiththemiinh",l>ol mv f.)li.,li. n I ll..od ell lie l.w 

of Cjith.i;en.i,lo»jrehlheli1'^ui.!t"nihrie . .vi,l aho-.v l.vrri 

(nihetv.nini:. Cap). Store, in ihc Rtven.-e „f t,.,. f ,,.i,u„,.J 

by Capi. IJiirhn m (li: Derrick 0! «4, ii.d i,j,- K.".> in 



je^ 



iTiiriilf^Tii 



The Act of October, 1747, required the Secretary to employ 
the Printer residing in Newport for printing the Public Laws. 
This was repealed in August, 1759, so that the Secretary was au- 
thorized to employ any Printer, as he might find conducive to the 
Public Good. 

Franklin's own statement regarding his failure to attend to 
the Colony work was printed at the end of the Schedule for the 
June, 1758, session. This explanation is dated, "Newport, Oc- 
tober 20, 1758." 

"In Justice to the Secretary, I must acquaint the Public, 
that some Time before the General Assembly sat in June last, he 
delivered me three Sheets, containing the major Part of the Acts 
and Orders made and past at the Election, (May Session) like- 
wise in proper Season, those which were past in June : But hav- 
ing been for many Years, frequently urged by several Gentlemen, 
to publish a News-Paper, I undertook one ; which for Want of 
Help, prevented my dispatching the Colony's present Business 
sooner than this Day. Having procur'd an Assistant, I promise 
myself, to be able to accomplish the Proceedings of the Assembly, 
for the future, agreeable to Expectation. J. F." 

The first issue of "The Newport Mercury," the newspaper to 
which Franklin ascribed his troubles, came out on Monday, June 
19, 1758. The facsimile on the opposite page is from the only 
known copy of this, in the Library of the Rhode Island Historical 
Society at Providence. The editor's introductory column gives 
considerable information concerning the details of newspaper pub- 
lication at that time in the colonies : 

"THE Advantage and Utility of a Newspaper to the Pub- 
lic, is so obvious, that it requires little to be said to recommend a 
Thing of the Kind. And as the Publication of a Paper in this 
Colony, has been long wish'd for, and frequently requested, 'tis 
proposed to publish one weekly, on every Monday, at the moderate 
Consideration of one Dollar a Year, so long as the present Size of 
this Paper is continued (or Lawful Money or Old-Tenor equiva- 
lent) to each Subscriber. 

"And the Public may be assur'd, that no Party Ijisputes 
will ever have a Place in this Paper: But in a Dearth of News, 
which in this remote Part of the World may sometimes reasonably 
be expected, whatever may be presented, which will promote the 



Interest of this Colony, and tend to make us a more virtuous, a 
more flourishing, and a more happy People, will chear fully be 
inserted. 

"And as all the earliest Advices which may be contain'd in 
other Papers, cannot at all Times be inserted in this. Care will be 
taken to collect from them, what may appear to be most worthy 
the Attention of the Public. 

"And it must appear unnecessary, to say any Thing relating 
to the Advantage which will accrue to the trading Part of this 
Colony, in having the Benefit of a public Paper to insert Adver- 
tisements, as the Example of our neighbouring Governments, 
where Papers are publish'd, is a convincing Proof of its general 
Service in that Respect. 

"x\nd for the more expeditious and safe Conveyance of this 
Paper to the several Towns in this Colony, this Method will be 
taken; to send all the Papers belonging to each respective Town, 
with the Name of each Subscriber wrote thereon, under Cover, 
and directed to some proper Person, residing where it will be at- 
tended with the least Difficulty to the Inhabitants in receiving 
them, which they will be the best Judges of; and a Paper will be 
sent gratis to every such Person, for his Trouble and Care in 
delivering them. 

"And as every Objection would willingly be remov'd, which 
may arise with respect to this Paper, in its first Publication; there- 
fore, if it should be said, that the Size is much smaller than those 
at present publish'd in Philadelphia, New- York, and Boston, let 
it be consider'd, that the Price is also less in Proportion, and that 
even in those large Places, with Provinces extensive and popu- 
lous, the Papers publish'd amongst them, in their Infancy con- 
tain'd no more than what might be compriz'd in half a Sheet; but 
as the Number of Subscribers and Advertisements increas'd, their 
Papers were inlarg'd in Proportion. And if it should likewise be 
said, that what is contain'd in this Paper, is somewhat stale be- 
fore publish'd— It must be acknowledg'd, that with Respect to 
Newport and Providetice, who have the Advantage of a very early 
Intelligence, it will undoubtedly be so; but this ought also to 
be consider'd, that the Inhabitants who reside at a Distance from 
those two Towns, cannot have an Opportunity to be so immedi- 
ately and properly acquainted therewith. 



"And tho' the Number of Subscribers, at the Commence- 
ment of this Paper, is far from being adequate to the Expense and 
Trouble which must consequently be devoted to that Service; yet 
it is not doubted, but that the Inhabitants of this Colony will 
chearfully promote an Undertaking of this kind. 

"There was Reason to believe, that this Paper would, at 
this Time, have been introduc'd to the Public with new Charac- 
ters, as Part of a new Printing-Office from London^ had been con- 
tracted for, by the Printer hereof, principally for that Purpose, 
which may daily be expected; therefore 'tis hop'd these will be 
dispens'd with till its Arrival." 

The next issue of which we have a copy, only half of the 
original and that the uninteresting first leaf containing the gen- 
eral news, is No. 25, for December 5. This is the first of the 
copies in the Redwood I^ibrary set of the Mercury, and it shows that 
by this time Franklin had received the new "characters" or type, 
for the purchase of which his Uncle Benjamin gave him credit. 
The paper had also been enlarged to four pages, and altogether it 
makes a very creditable appearance. 

Somewhere there is probably a copy of No. 27, for a facsimile 
re-print of this is quite common, but we have not yet found the 
original.* No. 28 is at the Redwood Library and No. 29 in pri- 
vate hands. The Newport Historical Society has No. 31, and 
the Redwood Library 32. This enumeration will give some idea 
of the way in which these old newspapers are scattered in differ- 
ent libraries, and the task confronting a student whose investiga- 
tions require him to examine a file, or even to verify a statement 
which is supposed to appear in some single issue. 

The Redwood Library has the most extensive set of the New- 
port Mercury, although not numerically the largest number of 
copies. 

Of the first 205 issues, only 32 are extant so far as known, 
and of these, two, one already mentioned and No. 91, March 11, 
1760, are known only from reprints of unknown original copies, 



* Note. —The original of No. 27 of the Mercury, to which the writer alludes, 
was for many years in the Mercury Office in Newport, but some few years 
ago it mysteriously disappeared. The facsimile was issued by the former 
owner of the MERCURY, Mr. Fred A. Pratt, on its 100th birthday, in June, 1858. 
The plates are now in the Mercury Office. 



doubtless hidden away on some Newport bookshelf. Of the re- 
maining thirty, 21 are at the Redwood Library, two of the others 
are at the Newport Historical Society and two at the Rhode Island 
Historical Society, and one each belong to the Brown University, 
the New York and Boston Public Libraries, the estate of the late 
Hon. Robert S. Franklin and Mr. Fred A. Arnold of Providence. 

The second James Franklin died August 22, 1762. His 
mother, who had presumably retained her title to her share of the 
business while it was in the hands of her son, resumed the man- 
agement for a short time, until arrangements had been made for 
transferring it to her son-in-law, Samuel Hall. When the widow 
Franklin died, a few months later, April 19, 1763, Hall became 
the owner of the establishment, and the Newport publications of 
the next five years bear his imprint. 

The Library of Congress at Washington possesses a file of 
the Newport Mercury extending from No. 206, August 10, 1762, 
to No. 498, March 21, 1768. There can be little doubt that this 
was Samuel Hall's file of his newspaper, which he doubtless took 
with him when he left Newport, and which owes its present good 
condition to that fact. There is another file for the years 1765 
and 1766, which was preserved by the Rev. Ezra Stiles, and is 
now among the treasured possessions of the Yale University Li- 
brary. Except for these two sets, we know of only 34 duplicates 
out of the 292 issues at Washington, and of these 34, one is in 
the British Museum, at London, one in the Wisconsin Historical 
Society, at Madison, one in the New York Public Library and 
three in the Massachusetts Historical Society; leaving only 27 in 
Rhode Island, of which the Redwood Library has 22. 

Early in 1768, Samuel Hall sold the Newport printing busi- 
ness to Solomon South wick, and about the first of August he re- 
moved to Salem, Massachusetts, where he re-established himself 
as a printer. Southwick continued to issue the Mercury until 
the approach of the British troops in the early winter of 1776 
forced him to remove hurriedly to Rehoboth, and later to Attle- 
borough. At both of these towns he did a little printing for the 
newly declared state, and there is a statement that at Attlebor- 
ough he printed a few numbers of a paper which continued the 
name of The Mercury. 



10 



MONDAY, Maich i;,, i;?*. S^^^I^^PP 

NEWPORT ^^^^^MJ,; MERCUI 

ContaimngtL-frepc/AJ-oices, ^^^^^'^^^^^^^^^^^m both Foreign and Dot 

Undaunted by T Y R A N T S,- wImdTe or bTTR^EET 



Printed by SOLOMON SOUTHWICK, in Queen-Strk 



TOOK! nepio nu prfjannoni m the mom- uf Ihofc >v!io «tre mil&cre J br lie foUlien. lluui »e<< 
,t iheie mould be no oniwccdory df by on- ever m --• • ■ 

jSovc report hrinjT rejd, tat inhabiunti lum..iimi: li,.i<: w.l.ibi.^J ir b'l. t;e'»gt°iKeik,L.ildoi 



U .irK^ll.Hall, nwn 

r ([CO Clemen fj T!,: ..,..^ ..s.;..-,„j>ca,n-.i.iy ii-i:u., mjui.' uin ." .iK,;.uin, .„ >oJ> De ^nxuj on mc Ipo! where iV tae 

d. ;c rcjatli of refir.,c.ii 4i5 foil..!:,,- il,e,„. IV, ,h»t wee pe;t[Kct,«n i.^ical Ilcc »m> a^ltj, ii h ioeioca:o lo a,. •.,.,. of 

rtHKirj ul <1^ ».;l looT, U Jrii oi Jl li..- iro^jH. The «;fJom ind t.i.l jo.na mjjj^,,, »n<i ita dcjri»:\iye cwicoti, oce. 

IriO).,. n.« (.a;.cyilM^ MijiiK'iCoiin<;i »ndCol l>il:i;o. of imi'uiy ;<i-oi>. U;ug nu.jteiei. la i well re-oUua 

T\en..,'.i---»a,,nlhcfe.md.; flelhe c™uunj.r jppejf in iVi! m-ifure. Two ,e. u.>,' 

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Hall's file of the Mercury, now at the Library of Congress, 
ends with No. 498. The file at the Rhode Island Historical 
Society begins with No. 502, for April 18, 1768. This file is 
nearly complete to April, 1770, and from April, 1772, to the end 
of 1773. If it was Southwick's own file, as seems probable, the 
vicissitudes to which his establishment was subjected immediately 
before and during the Revolutionary war would account for the 
fact that it is much less complete than that of his predecessor. 

The volume which is missing from this file for the years 1768 
to 1773, contained the numbers from 604 to 710. Of these 107 
issues, only 41 have been found, divided about equally between 
the Redwood Library and the Newport Historical Society. Three 
are at the Massachusetts Historical Society and four in the British 
Museum. 

The Redwood Library has nearly all of the issues for 1773 
and 1774. Most of those for 1775 are in the Newport Historical 
Society, but many of these, as well as the copies for this year at 
the Redwood Library, have suffered serious damage from damp- 
ness and ill usage. The paper appeared with its usual regularity 
until the end of October, 1775. The next issue is a single sheet 
printed on only one side, headed "An Occasional Paper, Con- 
taining the most important and authentic Advices. Newport, 
Monday, Nov. 6, 1775." The explanation appears under 
the local Newport news: "The Printer of the NEWPORT MER- 
CURY returns his most hearty thanks to all his good friends for 
the encouragement and support they have given and informs them 
that, having moved the principal of his printing materials from 
his office, on account of the tyrannic proceedings of the enemies 
of this country, it is out of his power to continue that paper at 
present. But hopes in a short time to be able to serve his coun- 
try in general, and his customers in particular, with as much 
satisfaction and advantage to them and himself as heretofore: In 
the meantime he is determined to exert himself to the utmost of 
his power in the present most important and glorious cause, the 
cause of God, liberty and mankind, by publishing small occasional 
papers, or otherwise as opportunity may offer." A week later 
appeared "FRESHEST ADVICES, Foreign and Domestic," and 
to this Southwick was emboldened to add his name as printer. 
This heading was used for the two following weeks, each of these 

11 



numbers being a single leaf printed on both sides. The first issue 
for December resumed the Newport Mercury heading, and the 
number, 900, which counts the four November issues. 

South wick continued to issue a single two page sheet each 
week for the next six months. The supply of paper was always 
a cause of anxiety to the colonial printers, and as war became 
imminent it became much more difficult to secure the regular size 
in sufficient quantities. In June, Southwick changed the Mer- 
cury from a folio sheet to a square small quarto, with four pages 
which contained rather less type than the two pages previously 
issued. "Extraordinary" issues were printed more frequently, also, 
as the news of the approaching conflict became more and more 
serious. These extras were not numbered, but as they were 
counted consecutively with the regular issues, in most and per- 
haps all cases, the irregularity is not as confusing as it would 
otherwise have been. The first issue for 1776 was No. 904 and 
the last that has been found, for November 25, was No. 954. Of 
these 51 issues, 37 are known to be in libraries in Newport, Provi- 
dence and Warren, Boston and London. 

Eleven of these issues for 1776, including five that have not 
been found elsewhere, were preserved by a New Bedford merchant, 
William Russell, whose present representative has recently de- 
posited them in the John Carter Brown Library. There must be 
others of the missing numbers which were preserved in similar 
collections or singly, hidden away on library shelves where their 
special value is not recognized and where they are treasured merely 
as curiosities. In due time these will come to the notice of those 
who can use the historical material which they contain, and be 
deposited in libraries where they can be preserved for the future. 

Before the end of the year 1776, there were in all 954 numbered 
issues and at least 44 supplements or extras. Of these, 701 are 
now known to be extant : 287 in the Library of Congress; 227 in 
the Redwood Library and 157 in the Newport Historical Society, 
or 384 in Newport; 215 in the Rhode Island Historical Society 
and 14 elsewhere in Providence. The others are scattered in 
various libraries between Madison, Wisconsin, and London, 
England. 

After the British forces took possession of Newport, they are 
said to have dug up Southwick's press and used it, as well as the 

12 



type they brought with them, for printing proclamations, 
notices, and a newspaper. The printer, John Howe, was proba- 
bly a soldier who was experienced in this trade, for his work is 
rather better than Newport had been accustomed to. The paper 
was called "The Newport Gazette." There is a file of it for 1777 
at the Redwood Library and a better one in the Pennsylvania 
Historical Society, extending from January 16, 1777, to October 
6, 1779. The British troops left Newport on October 25, 1779, 
so that it is probable that the Philadelphia set is complete. 

A few months later, the French fleet anchored in Newport 
Harbor. The French admiral carried its own printing plant, for 
issuing fleet notices, commissary blanks and the like, and this 
was set up in a house on Water, now Washington, Street. There 
a considerable amount of printing was done. Of most interest to 
Rhode Islanders at the time doubtless were the orders on the 
fleet's treasurer which were used in paying for supplies. To us, 
the most important thing is the first edition of Chastellux' enter- 
taining and now valuable narrative of his journey from Newport 
to Philadelphia. 

All that we know of the French newspaper is that in Bennett 
Wheeler's "American Journal," printed at Providence on Decem- 
ber 23, 1780, is an advertisement, offering to take in subscriptions 
for La Gazette Francaise de Newport at half a dollar a month. 
As the italic type in which the title of the paper was printed is 
different from any of Wheeler's type, and has a form not used in 
English, it seems that this advertisement must have been printed 
with the fleet type. No copy of the paper is known. 

South wick is said to have returned to Newport in January, 
1780, as soon as the British were well out of the way. Another 
printer, Henry Barber, started to work in Newport at the same 
time, possibly a few weeks before Southwick got back. They 
appear to have been more or less friendly rivals until Southwick's 
retirement in 1787, sometimes issuing books separately and as 
often jointly. The Mercury was revived, apparently, as soon 
as Southwick was back, the two co-operating in its publication. 

The earliest issue seen is that for July 15, 1780, No. 983. 
Most of the issues for the next three years are known. After 1783 
there are occasional breaks in all of the sets, sometimes extending 
for three or four months; in 17S3 from February to May ; from 

10 
o 



May, 1 788, to February , 1 789; from September, 1790,10 March, 1791; 
and from January to April, 1792. During these years the New 
York Historical Society has many of the issues not found in 
Rhode Island. From 1793 onward, the Mercury becomes one of 
the common papers, and nearly all of the libraries consulted have 
approximately complete files. 

The year 1787 was one of violent political activities, for 
which the adoption of the proposed Federal Constitution and the 
reorganization of the national finances were only two out of many 
social and economic causes. The state of popular unrest demanded 
means of expression, and newspapers started up all over the coun- 
try as organs of one or the other side. One was started and at 
least one other projected in Newport. 

"The United States Chronicle," published by Wheeler at 
Providence on January 18, 1787, contained Proposals for establish- 
ing "The Rhode Island Gazette" in Newport by Nathaniel 
Phillips and Company. Phillips became the first printer in War- 
ren, five years later, and while there he secured rather more than 
his share of the work which had previously been done by the 
Newport and Providence printers. He printed the "Herald of 
the United States" in Warren, beginning in January, 1792. So 
far as known there is no copy of his "Newport Gazette" in ex- 
istence, and the proposed paper may not have received encourage- 
ment enough to justify the undertaking. 

Peter Edes had been in business with his father as a printer 
at Boston, before he opened an establishment in Newport in the 
winter of 1786-87. On February 17, the "Providence Gazette" 
contained his proposals for issuing "The Newport Herald." No. 
I of this paper appeared on March i, 1787, and it continued to be 
issued until September 3, 1791, the last date found on a copy 
which is in the New York Historical Society. Edes' paper was 
the organ of the hard money party, the mercantile class, who 
were endeavoring to combat the over-issuance of paper money 
which threatened to destroy the state, and who also favored the 
adoption of the Federal Constitution. 

The adoption of the National Constitution was not the under- 
lying cause of the prosperity which came to the United States as 

14 



soon as its government was placed on a permanent basis, but it is 
the cause most easily explained and so oftenest given the credit. 
One sign of this prosperity was an extension of popular interest in 
literature, the arts, and everything that passes as culture among 
the generality of well-to-do persons. This led to the starting of 
magazines and literary organs, one of which, "The Rhode Island 
Museum," had a brief career in Newport from July 7, 1794, to 
the following December 29. [A nearly-complete set of this paper 
is in the possession of the Newport Historical Society.] 

During the last years of the eighteenth century there was 
another boom in newspaper efforts, the exact relationship of which 
is not clear. "The Weekly Companion and Commercial Centinel" 
first appeared on May 2, 1798 (not April 15, as Hammett states, 
probably from a prospectus,) as is known from a copy belonging 
to the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester. The Rhode 
Island Historical Society has a copy of the issue for June 15, 1799. 

This paper was suspended, and the publisher, Oliver Farns- 
worth, turned his attention to "The Guardian of Liberty," of 
which the first number, for October 3, 1800, is in the New York 
Public Library. The Rhode Island Historical Society has a num- 
ber of the later issues, but there is nothing in these, so far as read, 
to explain Hammett's statement that the same publisher at the 
same time was issuing another paper, "The Rhode Island Repub- 
lican." No copies of the Republican of this period are known, 
although it undoubtedly did exist some years later and was pub- 
lished by Farnsworth's successors, so that it may really have been 
the same paper under another name, which was adopted when 
"The Guardian" showed signs of failing. 



EXTANT ISSUES OF THE NEWPORT MERCURY, 1758-1800 

The following list gives the number of each regular issue of 
the Newport Mercury printed in the eighteenth century which is 
known to be in existence. Supplements, postscripts and ex- 
traordinary issues are noted where they have been found. During 
1775 and 1776 these extra issues were counted in the serial 
numbering, at least part of the time, so that it is possible to tell 
how many are missing. At other times they appeared as occasion 

15 



called for, and there is no means of learning how many may have 
been issued which have since entirely disappeared. 

The date of the first issue of each year is given. By counting 
the necessary number of weeks to the corresponding day, on any 
calendar, the date of the other issues of that year can be found. 
Care should be taken to allow for the leap year dates. 

When all, or nearly all, the numbers of a year are found in 
one collection, the name of the library is given in parentheses. If 
the numbers are scattered in several libraries, and files are broken, 
no attempt is made in this list to show where they are. Each 
copy is located in the census of Rhode Island newspapers at the 
Rhode Island Historical Society, and this information is at the 
service of any one who desires to use it. 

The John Carter Brown Library has arranged to secure 
photostat prints of every issue prior to the end of 1776. Especial 
care has been taken, in this connection, with the papers of that 
period. It has not been possible to give as much attention to the 
later period, after the revival of the Mercury in 1780. There are 
doubtless mistakes in the list due to irregularity in the numbering 
or in the date of publication, and to the fact that the data has 
been supplied largely by correspondence and not by personal 
examination. 

Any one who possesses, or who knows of the existence of any 
numbers of the Mercury not found in this list, will do a service to 
Rhode Island History by notifying the librarian of the Newport 
Historical Society or of the Rhode Island Historical Society at 
Providence. 

Copies marked * are imperfect. 

1758. No. I, June 19; 25, Dec. 5*; 27 (facsimile); 28. 
1759- 29, January 2; 31*; 32; 40*; 43; 44; 47; 49; 51; 
54; 55; 61 ; 69; 71*; 75; ^-j. 

1760. 81, January I ; 89 ; 91 (facsimile); 104*. 

1761. 144, May 19 ; 149; 168. 

1762. 186, March 16; 187; 193; 195; 206, August 10—226 

(Congress). 

1763. 227, January 3— 277 (Congress). Supplement, Novem- 

ber 7, 

1764. 281, January 23— 286; 288— 330 (Congress). 

16 



1765- 331) January 7— 353; 355—382 (Conoress, 338*, 352*, 
367*.) Supplement, October 28. 

1766. 383, January 6 — 434 (Congress and Yale) 

1767. 436, January 12 — 486 (Congress, 453*) 

1768. 487, January 4—498 (Congress); 502*; 503 ; 505—522 ; 

524-537 (R.I- H. S.; 512*; 514*). 
1769- 539, January 2—545 ; 547—549*; 554 ; 556—5^8 ; 59° 
(R. I. H. S.) Supplement, May i. 

1770. 591, January i — 603* (R. I. H. S.); 604; 607; 608; 

610*; 612; 613; Postscript, June 7; 614*; 615*; 
618; 620; 623; 624; 628; 630*: 631*; 634. Sup- 
plement, January 15 ; February 5. 

1 77 1. No. 651, February 25 ; March 4 ; 652, March 6 ; 663*; 

664*; 667*; 668*; 674; 675*; 676—680; 681*; 
682*; 683*; 684*; 685; 686; 688; 689; 691*; 692. 

1772. No. 696, January 6; 711* — 747 (R. I. H. S., 718*, 

741*, 744*.) Supplements, April 27; May 11 ; June 
I ; June 8 ; June 15 ; November 9. 

1773. No. 748, January 4 — 799 (R. I. H. S. and Redwood, 

768*, 797*, 798*.) Supplements, February 15; Feb- 
ruary 22 ; March 22 ; May 10 ; May 24 ; May 31 ; June 
7; June 14; July 26; xA.ugust 8; October 11. Ex- 
traordinary, December 7. 

1774. No. 80U, January 3 — 851 (Redwood and N. H. S.) x^ct 

Blocking Harbour of Boston (March 14?); Postscript, 
April 18 ; Supplement, April 18 ; Postscript, May 2 ; 
Supplements, May 2 ; May 9 ; May 30 ; June 6 ; June 
13 ; July 18 ; July 25 ; August 22 ; September 5 ; 
October 3. 

1775. No. 852, January 2— 893*; 895*— 903*. (Nearly every 

copy of the issues of this year is in bad condition.) 
Extraordinary, March 15 ; North Carolina Acts, (April 

24?). 

1776. No. 904, January i ; 906 ; 907 ; 909 ; 911 ; 915 ; 916 ; 

917; 918; 920; 921; 922; 923; 924; 926; Extra, 
June 3; 927; 928; 930; 931; 933; July 11; July 

18 ; 936 ; 937 ; 938 ; 939 ; 940 ; 945 ; 946 ; 947 ; 

Extra, October ii ; 949; 951; 952; Extra, Novem- 
ber 22 ; 954, November 25. 

17 



i78o. No. 983, July 15 ; July 20; August 12 ; August 19 ; 
September 9 ; September 25 ; December 14. 

1781. No. 1007, January 15 ; 1008, January 20 ; 1009; ioi2*- 

1014; 1020; I02i*-i024*-i043*-i045*-i053; 1055J 
1056; 1057. (Redwood) Extra, November 6. Facsimile 
of October 27. 

1782. No. 1058, January 5-1062*; 1063; io65*-io89*— 

1102; 1105— 1108. (Redwood) Extra, May 15. 

1783. No. mo, January 4*; im ; 1113 ; 1121 ; 1130; 1133 ; 

1134; June 23; 1135—1139; 1141. JJ42. jj^^* 
— 1148; 1150; 1153; 1156; 1157; 1159. 

1784- No. 1162, January 3; 1166; 1167; 1169 ; 1172-1175- 

^^n\ 1178*; 1180; 1181*; 1182; 1183*; Supple- 
ment, May 29; 1185; 1187; 1188*; 1189*; 1191*- 
Ii96*-ii99; 1202; 1203; 1205; 1206; 1208; 
1209*; 1210*; 1212*; 1213*. (Redwood). 

1785- No. 1214, January i*; 1221 ; 1223; 1226-1258*— 

1259, November 12; 1260, November 21 ;— 126s 
(N. Y. H. S. and Redwood). 

1786. No. 1266, January 2 ; 1267*, January 9*; 1267, January 
19; 1268, January 24; 1269, January 30—1287, June 
5 ; 1288, June II ; 1289, June 19-1313, December 4 ; 

^ 1314, December 14 ; 1315, December 21 ; 1316*. 

1^1. No. 1317, January 2, " 1786;" 1318, January 8*; 1320 ; 
I32i*-i336; 1339-1349; 1351; 1352; 1354; 
1355; 1357; 1358; 1359, October 22; 1360, Novem- 
ber 8; 1360, (repeated) December 22. 

1788. No. 1364, January 28 ; 1365; 1367*; 1368*; 1369; 

1371; 1372*; 1373; 1375; 1377; 1383; 1399; 
1401, October 13. 

NOTE-During the intervening 15 weeks there were only 11 numbers. 

1789. No. 141 2, February 2; 1413 ; 1414 ; 14 15, February 

21 \ 1417, March 9*— 1427; 1429— 1432, June 22; 
1433, July I— 1451 ; 1454—1459*. 

1790. 1460, January 6; 1462; 1463; 1465, February 15; 

1468 ; 1469 ; 1470 ; 1475, May i ; 1476 ; 1482— 
i486 ; 1493, September 6. 

NoTE-During the intervening 25 weeks there were only 14 numbers. 

18 



No. 1508, March 5 ; 1517, May 5—1522, June 2 ; 1523, 

June II— 1535; 1537— 1547; 1549; 1551- (Brown.) 
No. 1553, January 14 — 1561, March 10 ; 1562, March 19 

—1592; 1594— 1603. (Brown.) 
No. 1604, January 7 — 1617, April 8; 1618, April 16, — 

1630, July 9 ; 1631, July 23,-1654. (Brown.) 
No. 1655, January 7 — 1675 ; 1677 — 1686 ; 1688 — 1692 ; 

1694; 1696 — 1701, November 27 ; 1702, December 2 — 

1706. 
No. 1707, January 6 — 1758. 
No. 1759, January 5 — 1810. 
No. 181 1, January 3 — 1863. 
No. 1864, January 2 — 1915. 
No. 1916, January i — 1969. 
No. 1970, January 7 — 2020. Supplement, November 15; 

Extra, December 24. 



19 



SOCIETY NOTES 



EDITORIAL 

The editorial committee being re- 
duced to one person, by the resigna- 
tions of the others elected, he begs 
to apologize for so little editorial 
matter, but prides himself upon the 
paper presented in this issue. Like 
everything which is the result of 
the researches of Mr. Winship it is 
most satisfactory and conclusive ; 
invaluable in its information regard- 
ing early Newport printing. 

MEETINGS, ETC. 

The regular quarterly meeting of 
the society was held August 17th, 
Vice President Sturgis in the chair. 
50 new members were elected. A 
paper on "Newport Early News- 
papers" was read by Mr. George 
Parker Winship of the John Carter 
Library in Providence, and some 
remarks were made by the Hon. 
John P. Sanborn, editor of the Mer- 
cury. 

A Lawn Fete held upon the 
grounds of ]Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence 
L. Gillespie, July 18th, was largely 
attended, and was the cause of a 
large gathering, resulting in an in- 
crease of interest and membership 
in the Society, and in the addition 
of $500 to the Building Fund. The 
Society is much indebted to those 



who labored faithfully to make it a 
success — especially to Mr. and Mrs. 
Gillespie, and to our Librarian. 

MEMBERSHIP 

Since our last publication the fol- 
lowing new members have been ad- 
mitted to the Society : 

LIFE MEMBERS 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. McLean 
Mrs. Nathaniel Thaj^er 

SUSTAINING MEMBERS 

Mrs Livingston Hunt 
Mrs. James P. Kernochan 

ANNUAL MEMBERS 

Mrs. J. B. Haggin 

Mrs. Abbott E. Slade 

Mr. Wm. H. Low 

Mr. Amory Austin 

Mr. Fred N. Easton 

Mr. D. F. Sherman 

Mr. Arthur S. Phillips 

Prof. Joannes de Tahy 

Wm. R. Hunter 

Mrs. A. K. Sherman 

Mrs. John J. Mason 

Mrs. M. Van Beuren 

Mr. George Henry Warren, Jr. 

Mrs. John P. Sanborn 

Mr. L. PL Hosmer 

Mrs. Henry P. Perry 

Mrs. Frederick Pearson 



20 



Miss Lydia Redmond 
Mr. M. Stoneman 
Mrs. B. B. H. Sherman 
Countess de San Esteban di Canongo 
Mr. Stuart Duncan 
Mr. John S. Kimber 
Madame BakhmeteflF 
Mr. and Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish 
Mrs. Dudley Davis 
Mrs. Stephen Elliott Balch 
Mrs. George S. Scott 
Mr. Victor Baxter 
Mr. Phoenix Ingraham 
Mr. Dulaney Rowland 
District Attorney Charles S. Whit- 
man 
Mrs. Henry Barton Jacobs 
Mr. Anthony Stewart 
Mrs. Pembroke Jones 



Mrs. E. S. Reynal 
Mrs. J. B. Forsyth 
Mrs. George Peabody Eustis 

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 

Miss Lizzie Ellis 

Miss Rebecca T. Bosworth 

Miss Annie Cottrell 

Mr. George P. Lawton 

Mr. Eugene C. O'Neill 

Mrs. George Whitefield Mead 

OUR PRESENT MEMBERSHIP IS : 

Life members 59 

Sustaining members 42 

Annual members 215 

Associate members 7 1 

387 



21 



RECENT ACCESSIONS OF SPECIAL INTEREST 

LIBRARY 

Biographical notices of graduates of Yale College, including those 
graduated in classes later than 1815, who are not commemorated in the 
annual obituary records. By Franklin Bowditch Dexter, Litt. D. 

Donor, Hon. George Peabody Wetmore. 

Some Records of the Northup & Tucker families of Rhode Island 
with Notes on Intermarrying Families. 1914. 

Donor, Mr. Wm. G. Northup. 

The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Rhode Island and 
Providence Plantations. The second record book of the Society. 1902- 
1914. Together with the accounts of Daniel Jenckes, one of the Com- 
mittee of War of the Colony of Rhode Island, during 3 years, 1758, 1759, 
1760, of the French & Indian War. 

Donor, Society of Colonial Wars. 

The Diary of Thomas Minor, Stonington, Conn. 1(553 to 1684, 
prepared for publication by Sidney H. Minor and George D. Stanton, 
.Jr., 1899. Donor. Mr. R. M. Barrett. 

The Davis Family Record, edited by Charles H. S. Davis, M. D. 
A.M. Monthly journal devoted to the History and Genealogy of the 
Davis family. Nov. 1867-1868. Donor, Mr. R. M. Barrett. 

MUSEUM 

Japanese Table (Gold Lacquer). 

Japanese Rest for Arms when Reading (CJold Lacquer). 
Japanese Dressing Stand (Gold Lacquer). 

Japanese Mirrors (Steel) to go with Dressing Stand (Gold Lacquer). 
Japanese Shoes. 
1 Pair Small Embroidered. 
» 1 Pair Normal Embroidered. 
1 Pair Men's Straw. 
Japanese Figures Wrestling. 
Leaf Fan, Jamaica. 
Tall, Narrow Basket, Jamaica. 

Given by the President. 

MANUSCRIPTS 

Two Order Books of Col. Sherburne, 

(lift of Gen. William Ennis. 

22 



OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

For the year ending May^ ^9^5 



President, HON. DANIEL B. FEARING 
First Vice-President, REV. RODERICK TERRY, D. D. 

Second Vice-President, MR. FRANK K. STURGIS 

Third Vice-President, MR. ALFRED TUCKERMAN 

Recording Secretary, MR. JOHN P. SANBORN 

Corresponding Secretary, MR. GEORGE H. RICHARDSON 

Treasurer, MR. HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. 

Librarian, MISS EDITH MAY TILLEY 

Curator of Coins and Medals, DR. EDWIN P. ROBINSON 

Board of Directors 

THE OFFICERS and 

for three years 
MRS. HAROLD BROWN DR. WILLIAM S. SHERMAN 

MRS. RICHARD C. DERBY MR. JOB PECKHAM 

FOR TWO YEARS 

MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON MR. HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 

MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT MR. GEORGE L. RIVES 

FOR ONE YEAR 

MRS. WILLIAM R. MORGAN COL. C. L. F. ROBINSON 

MR. JONAS BERGNER REV. GEORGE V. DICKEY 



BULLETIN 

OF THE 

N e wport H ist orical S ociety 

Number Fifteen NEWPORT. R. I. January, 1915 

The Story of Election Day 



Being the Remaining Portion of the Paper Eead before the Society on 
May 27th, 1913 

By 
Miss M. E. POWEL 

(The other part of the paper having been published in 
Bulletin No. 8, July, 1913). 



The presumption of my being here will, I trust, be pardoned by 
yourself, the members of this Society and their guests, because, more 
than sixty years ago, I was living on the Parade and as a child was 
familiar with its historic sights and scenes. 

This is no formal address, only a humble suggestion that the local- 
ities of many important events are in danger of being forgotten. 

Are we not doing injustice to ourselves in the obliteration of what 
Time still gives us ! — Videlicet, running a wire through the Liberty 
tree — planted always with such solemnity; barring out all access to 
this end of the Town Beach save for foot passengers ; closing other 
beaches and much shore ; letting that noble erection of Peter Harrison, 
the Brick Market, rot on its foundation, and leaving the walls of Settler 
Bull's house, perhaps older than the Stone Mill and probably as strong 
to chance of final destruction unless purchased by private subscription 
or public money. Europe cherishes, we pull down our ruins. 

But these are all of the tangible past. There is something intangi. 



ble to consider today. The scenes of Election Day and the Parade-//^^ 
scene of Election Day. The heart of Newport, south of " the River » 
and west of "the Running Spring " that is housed now under a stone 
and iron cap between the stables of Mr. George P. Lawton. Let us 
who live in the Present, also walk in the Past. 

The story of the Parade is the story of the town. It is the scene, 
rom the town's inception, of its strongest vitality, and the greatest of 
the days of all its years is— Election Day. 

A salient point in the history of this State is the ability of the first 
comers, neither peasants nor criminals but persons of intelligence, 
education, and frequently of good birth and substance in the old coun- 
try, to cast ofi-all habits of comfort and ease, to know how to assume 
the laborious hfe of a wilderness, to endure its toil. Their few servants 
could have availed but little. It must have been easier far for their 
children, born to it, with no haunting memories of old England, know- 
mg nothing else, and forced from their infancy to work for their daily 
subsistence, to invent their tools and implements requisite for daily life 
and use them, than it ever could have been for those brave hearts who 
first endured all for freedom with the hopeful courage that inspired 
constant emigration from the land of their birth. 

Now we all know that in 1636 Mr. Roger Williams and a handful 
ot his friends, exiled and outlawed by the intolerant pietists of the Bay 
Colon.y planted Providence about a great spring, not far from a slate 
rock where some surprised and kindly Indians, startled from customary 
silence, had greeted them with - What Cheere, Netop?" (or Friend) 

That two years later, in 1638, Mr. William Coddington and his 
scanty tolhmmg, under precisely the same circumstances but bent on 
putting great distance between themselves and their enemies, acting by 
advice of Mr. Williams, given while they tarried at Providence, diverged 
from their intended journey, to the northwest end of the Island of 
Aquidney, and that thus the town of Portsmouth came into being in 
two tiny hamlets, Pocasset, before long abandoned, and a " New Town » 
that exists to this day. 

That on the last day of April next following, Nicholas Easton and 
two others took boat at Pocasset and coasted southward many miles 
until they landed for the night on the shore of a sheltered cove, where 
they Slept, and the next day. May the first, 1639, joined by Mr Cod- 
dington, Mr. John Clark, and some other restless families from Ports- 
month, their journey ended, and they founded Newport. 

A fourth town sprang into being on the mainland three years later 
-in 1642-Warwick-not named, like that of Mr. Williams in devout 
gratitude, nor like the matter-of-fact geographical localities of Mr Cod- 



cm 



lington, for Pocasset was the Indians' name for both shores of the land 
n that vicinity and the English settlers probably employed it as it was ; 
>ut this fourth town was named Warwick after that Earl Robert — in 
Cngland — who was then the Lord High Admiral of New England, and 
rhose patronage might thus properly be complimented. 

Now the present State of Rhode Island (omitting question of certain 
lastic boundaries long undecided) originally consisted of these four 
owns that were six years in making. Providence and Warwick had 
10 executive head until 1647— but Mr. Coddington had at once, and 
»roperly, become the executive head of Portsmouth and entitled Judge, 
,nd on his leaving for Newport in the spring, Mr. VVm. Hutchinson 
•ecame Judge of the north end of this Island for almost a year. 

Four days after landing in Newport in May, the other leading 
ettlers ratified Mr. Coddington's continuing their chief executive or 
udge; and on the 12th of March, 1640, Mr. Coddington acquired 
he Governorship of the whole Island of Aquidney, compri.siing both 
owns, and continued in that office until 1647. 

It is difficult to find details of exact location for the earliest — or 
iven for many later elections. We know that the pioneers found heavy 
orest, and flowing brooks — rivers to English eyes — swamp, rock and 
latural meadow. What is now the Parade may have been reached by 
he sizeable river then curving just north of it and joined near the cove 
)y the trickling rivulet overflowing from the '' running spring." The 
lewcomers must have seen here a practical place easy to clear of small 
mshes, and let us hope that it was on this little sunny meadow, now 
he Parade, that Mr. Coddington bared his head and took his solemn 
)ath of officie. 

The Parade has varied its boundaries and worn many titles. In 
he earliest deeds few roads or ways are given any specific names, they 
ire more described as extending through, or between, owned lands 
lefined as bounded by a rock and a tree, or the like. Long after, one 
side of the Parade was called Ann Street, the other Queen Street. The 
' Grand Parade " of the British officers was speedily changed to Con- 
gress Street by our French Allies. It remained unpaved for one hun- 
Ired and twelve years — until cobbled in 1751, the cost being raised by 
I lottery. The Mall, too, has known changes. It is comparatively 
•ecent, the result of fire and war, that destroyed the ancient houses 
brmerly there, leaving only the two old guns of the Colony's ship Tartar 
)f 1740 — until the dreary waste was transformed into a leafy park about 
1800. The fountain, three times renewed, is even more recent, and the 
t\'est end of the Mall was cut off" and cobbled about 1870, Gossip whis- 
pered, to throw the new Perry Hotel into full view, — and now adds that 



some crazy automobile will surely destroy the Tartar's guns — such 
important relics of public service ! 

In 1643 the Long Parliament of England granted a Charter or 
Patent, which in 1647 came into effect, and the four towns, Providence 
and Warwick on the mainland, Portsmouth and Newport on this Island, 
were united under it. The Presidents or chief executives for the next 
four years, each receiving office in May — were consecutively John 
Coggeshall and Jeremy ( Clarke, both of Newport, John Smith of War- 
wick and Nicholas Easton of Newport, from May 1650 to August, 1651. 

Jeremy Clarke — (whose son. Governor Walter Clarke, opened 
Clarke Street) — took the place of Mr. Coddington, who had been elected, 
but the General Court would not engage him, for there had been serious 
political accusations, and it was owing greatly to these that in 1651 a 
separation took place between Portsmouth and New{)ort, Governor 
Coddington objecting violently to the union of the whole province and, 
as he considered for good and sufficient reasons, had gone to England 
previous to 1649-50 to establish permanently his own supreme author- 
ity for life over the Island towns, and did return in 1651 with 
such a commission signed by Bradshaw. But the inhabitants would 
have none of it ! Now Mr. Coddington was a wise man and fought no 
further, this Commission remained unenforced. It has since been a 
question in many minds ; the majority long urging that Mr. Codding- 
ton hoped to become something like a Dutch patroon or landed propri- 
etor — an English dukedom if no English title in his grasp. Others, 
numbering one of the most sage and profound of Rhode Island's histo- 
rians, claim that he was purely patriotic in his course, desiring to save 
the Colony, if united, from future absorption by those on its borders. 
Be it as it may, Mr. Coddington was much respected in the community 
he had founded, was elected Governor of the Colony some twenty-three 
years after tiiese troubles, re-elected for several years and died in office, 
having long outlived all dissensions and accepted and remembered as a 
sagacious and revered leader. 

Knowing this, it will not detract from his reputation to submit 
this extract from a letter of that warm abettor and fiery opponent, Mr. 
Roger Williams, written at the time of the re-union of the towns, to his 
friend, 'the truly honourable Sir Henry Vane (the younger) at his house 
in Belleau in Lincolnsliire " where, when seeking the Parliament char- 
ter, Mr. Williams had sojourned, an honored guest, for some six weeks. 

" I7th of 6th month (1654). Sir : We were in complete order 
until Mr. Coddington, wanting that public self-denying spirit which you 
commend to us in your letter, procured by most untrue information a 
monopoly of part of the Colony, viz.: Rhode Island, to himself and so 



occasioned our general disturbance.'' And then that wild goose quill 
flew on, describing with acidity one Mr. Dyre, whose farm was where 
Cloyne School now stands, and whose wife forced her way, poor soul, 
to a violent death on Boston Common. 

From 1654 to 1663, the last of the Presidents held oflfice over the 
entire Colony, They were Nicholas Easton, Roger Williams, Benedict 
Arnold, William Brenton, and again Benedict Arnold. All, excepting 
of course Mr. Williams, from Newport and all annually elected in May ; 
each serving from a few months to several years and the two last very 
prominent and prosperous men. 

The form of election in this State is said to have been always " to 
serve as Governor for one year and until another be elected." Those 
serving for less than a year have either died, or in later years, once or 
twice, resigned, in order to enter Congress, like Governor Sprague, to 
join the Army, etc., and in one case only, in 1775, the Governor for 
political reasons was deposed. 

Now during the years in which these few men were occupied by, 
to them important, but to the world at large trivial daily incidents, 
events of vast moment were occurring in old England. From time to 
time letters had gone thence, humblest of humble petitions to the Long 
Parliament, to Oliver the Lord Protector, to his weak son Richard, who 
was never useful to anybody, and now the dawn of another day was 
gleaming through the mists of the Atlantic. Charles II had returned 
to his patrimony, the Regicides were executed or fled, and the local 
authorities found it wise and prudent not to depend upon so shaky a 
testimonial as the Charter of the Parliament but to petition again, and 
this time, to King Charles, for a new one. 

Here a little digression into private life seems in order, from before 
the period of the Royal Charter and lor some time after. 

What a long-enduring "good old charter "it was, lasting until 
1842, when it gave place to the Constitution of Rhode Island. Its 
burial was of the military order — the Dorr War. That shrewd lawyer, 
Benjamin Hazard of Newport, is avered to have been this Charter's 
strongest upholder, and so long as he lived his terse phrases gave his 
opponents much to consider, little to deny. 

Before a great day, there must be great preparation. In the baby- 
hood of the Colony the little Island towns and the sparse plantations 
on the mainland saw gatherings of the landed heads of families — they 
and their eldest sons alone had right to vote. Grave discussions arose, 
frequently vigorous ones sometimes tempered by religious interpola- 
tions — very apt too. Even after King Phillip's War in 1675, there 
being no very sizeable room in Providence, such meetings were held 



under the buttonwood tree opposite what became Crawford Street and 
also, before public meeting places were provided, Smith's mill and his 
grain bags afforded shelter and seats for the politicians. Very much 
later than this, in Newport, places of public entertainment were em- 
ployed, and a kitchen on Broad Street in Newport is recorded and voted 
as a place of meeting for the General Assembly. Some of us now living 
have not forgotten how without lawful right " Congress sat'' in the shoe 
shops on the Main Street and in the dear old lioatbuilders' shops on 
Long Wharf where a gentle sizzle of steam mingled with hot party ex- 
pressions and calm retrospection — preparatory to more ratified meetings. 
However, over two centuries and a half ago it required more than 
caucus, primary and tickets for boat or car, to bring the voter to 
Newport. The goodman had to leave his field to multitudinous crows, 
provide food and fuel, perhaps trap a wolf or, in the Narragansett, shoot 
a wildcat. Then, in the first years, he must see to his matchlock and 
bandolier, or if the niggardly policy of neighboring colonies prevailed, 
depend on sword, pike or bow and arrow, for by law he had to go armed 
to vote, even to the day of longbarreled gun, flint, steel and greased 
patches. Then goodbye to wife and child, praying in his heart that 
no firewater was working mischief in the neighborhood; and, dressed in 
rough homespun, turn from his little habitation— one or two rooms at 
most clinging to a big stone chimney — follow the narrow Indian trail — 
not yet roughened into a bridle-path — (It took sixty years to do that) — 
or putting out in pinace, dugout or canoe— much the best route— head 
for Newport. His wife doubtless watched him to the horizon, then 
with a sigh turned frugally to the remnants of johnnycake left from his 
wallet, to drying herbs, carding wool, and the other manifold labors of 
the day until at last, the cow penned, the sheep folded, with bended 
head she devoutly prayed that tomorrow in Newport would bring the 
desired result. 

The bright sparks of the hickory and walnut logs covered with ashes, 
in the kitchen, her weary bones lying on a bed ot feathers beneath 
a coarse blanket— resting there— half asleep— she would not have been 
woman had she not seen visions of far distant days when in this grow- 
ing land her future grandson might be governor, her granddaugliter 
mistress of a big town house, and though now to live in a lonely coun- 
try plantation on the shore edging the wilderness was her husband's 
lot, if not themselves, surely their posterity might aspire to take part in 
what the fine growing town of Newport had already acquired and was 
at present so sedulously keeping to herself. 

Not until later when the more distant towns came into being, was 
there much travelling by land. By water was far easier than forcing a 

6 



way through briard, around great rocks, fording brooks, and penetrating 
primeval forest filled with dangers and occasionally uncanny by super- 
stition. Still the Settlers were stout hearted and from all the planta- 
tions on the continent and islands struggled into Newport. 

The early ferries, in themselves, are an interesting item of Colonial 
history. Four are very ancient. The first was across from a place on 
Warwick Neck to the north end of Prudence, thence by foot down that 
island to its south end, and from there over to Rhode Island where 
vestiges of a little ferry house or travellers' shelter were still extant 
seventy years ago, at the north end of Portsmouth — and were supposed 
by Historian Henry Bull to be of the earliest erection. 

After a time the sensible General Assembly in quaintly worded 
fashion set forth that so serious was the inconvenience to the farmer, to 
leave his occupation in the midst of his busy planting season, &c., &c., 
that ratified meetings were to be held in his local town and those free- 
men of the Colony, so entitled, were to deposit their votes, signed with 
their name — or mark — and a properly accredited town officer was to 
bring these ''prox " or proxy votes to be counted at Newport on the day 
of Election. It was a wise law and well executed, and the votes with 
all decency and some pomp were carried in parcels in the procession by 
the proper ofificers and were opened and counted in due form within 
the appointed places of meeting or the Colony house. Since discovered 
by the old Dutch seafarer, Admiral Blok, his elusive Island, that rises 
and falls if she does not drag and swing on her cable, has always given 
trouble. The elements make it a hard fight for New Shoreham, and 
the Colonial spring was not a whit more sultry or settled weather than 
our own, and the Election Day as appointed by the Royal Charter was 
the first Wednesday in May, not the last Tuesday as set forth by an 
amendment in 1854 to the Constitution of 1842. However, to her last- 
ing credit, the Block Island boat has always come over just as soon as 
she could and done her very best both for eager passengers huddled to- 
gether and for the votes tucked into the cuddy out of the way of cattle 
and codfish — " Block Island turkeys" ! But Block Island of a certain 
was not concerned in the earliest elections, for she comes into the later 
period of voting and is only mentioned here as one of the difficult 
routes for travel. 

It was in the year 1663 that a new Charter came from the King's 
gracious majesty, and was brought into Newport on the greatest day that 
the town had seen in her twenty-four years of existence. 

Not on the annual May Election Day, but on an especial one, the 
24th of November, 1663, there sat at Newport a Court of Commission- 
ers, the most solemn event that this town had known. All six of the 

7 



Commissioners for each of the four towns were present. Those for 
Newport were the President of the Colony, Benedict Arnold, whose term 
of office, of course, was then to expire— William Brenton, William Cod- 
dington, James Barker, John Coggeshall and John Cranston. All had 
been presidents or were to become governors of the Colony in future 
years, except Mr. Barker of Portsmouth, who shortly became a Deputy 
or Lieutenant-Governor. 

The Charter of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Planta- 
tions granted by King Charles II in England on the 8th day of July, 
1663, was to be received by a full Court of Commissioners in the 
presence of a large assemblage of the freemen from all parts of the 
Colony. 

Think of the little town nestling along the waterfront and here and 
there reaching up into the encircling hillside woods and fields— brown 
and bare, or possibly, white with snow. The short afternoon, to end in 
a glowing sunset, forerunner of a peaceful morrow. The chimneys 
sending up thin trails of smoke, beacons to the travellers still afar oflf. 
The happy faces at the landings and watching out the main road, eager 
for sight of long separated kin or friend, and the crisp snow crunching 
down under hurrying feet all turned to a single destination ! 

There is no mention of the route he followed. The Charter was 
brought into Court by Captain George Baxter, who had received it in 
charge from Mr. John Clark, the Agent of the Colony in London. None 
could have been more wisely selected. 

Now. verbatim from the Records as transcribed by Henry Bull (but 
in parts somewhat condensed) : 

Voted : That Captain George Baxter be desired to bring forth and 
present the Charter to this Court. 

Voted: That this Court be adjourned until tomorrow morning, 
eight of the clock, to give way (time) for the Charter to be read. 

November 24, 1663. At a very great Meeting and Assembly of the 
freemen of the Colony of Providence Plantations at Newport on Rhode 
Island in New England, the above Assembly being legally called and 
orderly met for the solemn reception of His Majesty's gracious Letters 
Patent, unto them sent, and having in order thereto chosen the Presi- 
dent, Benedict Arnold, Moderator of the Assembly. It is ordered and 
voted nemene contradecejtte : 

Voted 1st:— That Mr. John Clark, the Colony's Agent's letters to 
the President, Assistants and Freemen of the Colony be opened and read. 
Which was accordingly done with good delivery and attention. (These 
letters are said to be lost.) 

Voted 2nd :— That the Box in which the King's Gracious Letters 

8 



(the Charter) were enclosed be opened, and the Letters with the Broad 
Scale thereto affixed be taken forth and read by Captain George Baxter 
in the audience and view of all the people. 

Which was accordingly done, and the said Letters, with His Ma- 
jesty's Royal Stampe and the Broad Scale with much beseeming gravity 
held on high and presented to the perfect view of the people : and so 
returned into the Box and locked up by the Governor in order to the 
Safe Keeping of it. 

Voted 3 : — That the most humble thanks of the Colony to our most 
Gracious Sovereign Lord King Charles of England, &c., for the high 
and inestimable — yea — the incomparable grace and favor unto the 
Colony in giving those His Gracious Letters Patent to us, that thanks 
may be presented and restored (returned) by the Governor, and Deputy 
Governor in behalf of the whole Colony. 

Then thanks were voted to the Lord High Chancellor Clarendon, 
for his exceeding great care and love for this Colony. Mr. Clark was 
voted a sum of money and all his expenses as Agent — but it was many 
years a paying — and a gift of £1h sterling in currency was ordered for 
Captayne Baxter, who had hastened over from Boston with the precious 
Charter, on his landing from England. 

The next day, November 25th, the Assembly again sat at Newport 
i^ ^ ^ The Governor, Benedict Arnold, in presence of the 
Deputy Governor, William Brenton, was engaged (sworn in) and in 
turn all the others. The following day the Governor, &c., having in- 
formed the Indian Kings " Quissuckquansh '' and "Nineganitt" that 
His Gracious Majesty having taken notice of the Narragansett Sachems 
submitting themselves to His Majesty's royal father, Charles I, by a 
writing under their hands about 19 years ago — ^ * * # 

&c. {Long and interesting) ^ ^ concluded by informing 

the Senior Sachem that His Majesty in his Patent had been graciously 
pleased to take him and all the Narragansett Indians and their lands 
under his gracious protection as subjects to himself, under the Gov- 
ernor of this Colony. The said Sachem did voluntarily make answer, 
that he most kindly thanked King Charles for his grace therein. 

This was repeated with the other Indian Sachem, and shortly the 
Assembly adjourned. 

The following year Mr. Roger Williams was requested to transcribe 
the Charter. Do not these old words put before our eyes those days in 
Newport, as well as Mr. Williams with quill and inkhorn patiently 
inscribing line after line in his neat handwriting until he ends with a 
fine flourish, '• By the King. • Howard.' '' 

So early as this there is no mention of any Colony House, but so 

9 



exalted a cause must have convened the Court in the best place accessi- 
ble. It IS to be hoped-on the Parade-although perhaps it sat behind 
where the Union Bank building now stands, for that was the site of 
Governor Benedict Arnold's house. His son, Benedict. Jr., built on 
the water side west of Gidley street the fine house that is still there. 

The original parchment, the Royal Charter itself, is preserved in 
the office of the Secretary of State in Providence. It continued in force 
from Its reception in November, 1663, until the adoption of the Consti- 
tution of the State of Rhode Island in November, 1842— a period of 
one hundred and seventy-nine years. 

With all allowance for the many failings of Charles II and his 
Chancellor Clarendon, Rhode Island has cause for lasting gratitude for 
their wise and generous conduct in the granting of this Charter, and 
particularly to Clarendon who probably supervised the text thereof far 
more closely than his master, the King. So we may close our eyes 
with civility upon certain later occurrences in which the good faith of 
the Chancellor was somewhat obscured— Acreage, boundaries and the 
like. 

King Charles died on the 6th of February, 1685, and was succeeded 
by his brother, James the Second— proclaimed at Newport on the ist of 
May in honorable fashion. On the 6th of that month Henry Bull, he 
ot the stone house on Spring street facing Bull's Gap, was elected Gov- 
ernor, and the Assembly proceeded to petition the new King, begging 
continuance of the royal favor bestowed by the late sovereign of blessed 
memory. Public notice of new accessions and ceremonious addresses 
were customary, and dutifully performed on all such occasions, and 
while we have only reason to hope that these early ones took place on 
the Parade, we know that all the later were performed either within or 
without the Colony Houses and before the multitude therefor assem- 
bled. 

For a number of years after the death of King Charles, Newport 
witnesses many troubled scenes. Governors Andros and Bellomont 
were ordered to include New England in their jurisdiction over New 
York, and so serious were the difficulties under the attempted rule of 
the first, that he was arrested and imprisoned in Boston. He then fled 
to Newport, where by request of the imperious Massachusetts Colony, 
he was nominally put under arrest in the house of his friend, Peleg 
Sanford-that same historic house on Broad Street that had seen the 
departure of Colonel Church for the slaughter of King Philip—" and an 
armed guard placed in patrol about its walls." Before this, the pre- 
cious Charter had been demanded, its abrogation insisted upon Saga- 
cious Governor Walter Clarke had handed it privately to a relative. 

10 



The Committee arriving — it was said to be in a chest. " Break it open 
yourselves." " Come and take it ! " The Charter was saved, but the 
Colony's government much in confusion. 

No wonder in such tribulations the need of an established place of 
meeting was felt by the General Assembly, and in 1687 no less a sum 
than jCIQO was ordered to be levied and raised in the several towns of 
" this province or county " for the building of a court house in the 
town of Newport and another on Tower Hill in South Kingstown, repair- 
ing the jail at Newport, and for one or two minor matters. Francis 
Brinley, Peleg Sanford and John Foanes were appointed a committee to 
build the two court houses " the first," says Henry Bull, " in the Col- 
ony," and the Treasurer was ordered to pay to the Committee's order 
the amount indicated. This tax was leviable in money, sheep's wool, 
spring butter, Indian corn and pork — all at established values ; and of it 
Newport was rated at ^38, Portsmouth at £3\ . Owing to the disturb- 
ance occasioned by Andros, and Walter Clarke's brave conduct in the 
concealment of the Royal Charter, there was confusion in many matters 
and some time later, a committee was appointed to demand that the 
Treasurer refund the ;i^30 in money and three hundred pounds in wool 
remaining with him, and which had been appropriated to the perfecting 
of the Colony House in Newport. So it seems that the building must 
have been some time uncompleted. Seven years afterward, in 1695, 
the General Assembly while in session voted that on complaint of most 
of the freemen of the Colony it forbid the use of the Colony House for 
other than judiciary and military purposes, and not for any ecclesiasti- 
cal purposes or uses of that nature. Now this, in the light of post-Rev- 
olutionary days, is somewhat amusing. It is very interesting to trace 
the history of this first Colony House. A wooden Colony House, by 
all claimed to be the first, stood on the site of the present brick State 
house, or Courthouse, of today. It was removed in 1739 — to give place 
for this one now standing — a short life for a building of those days — 
only fifty-two years. One portion found an abiding place on the west 
side of Prison street just behind the " Buttrick house '' on the corner of 
the Parade. It was a plain, substantial, small, dingy building that I 
saw from my nursery windows, and has only recently been pulled 
down. The other half of the Colony House — claimed by some author- 
ities to have been "a second Colony House," — was removed, at the 
same time as the first, to Broad Street, and was owned in the 19th 
century by one White, a shopkeeper. Whether this was a separate 
building or simply an addition to the first has not yet been noted — but 
both, if there were two, must have been very near together, and proba- 
bly within the present foundation. All writers so far examined agree 

11 



that what is styled the first Colony House was the one removed to 
Prison Street. 

But no matter what was the Colony House, it failed, as all else, to 
suit that other Lordly Governor General Bellomont of New York, and 
of New England, who landed on the north end of the Island in 1698, 
arriving in state with his party of followers and deferentially met in 
Portsmouth by Governor Samuel Cranston, his assistants, and a small 
troop of horse, and thus escorted into Newport with more honor than 
pleasure — for his principal errand, beyond the ever-vexing question of 
Colony boundaries — was to break up certain practices on the high seas, 
that nowadays would hardly be deemed legitimate methods, yet were 
then very filling to the pocket and openly followed. This sulky 
noble lord has left written testimony of his spiteful opinion of his 
week's sojourn among the inhabitants of Newport — and the General 
Assembly had placed a sum of no less than forty pounds in the hands 
ot Governor Cranston for his entertainment ! 

It is indeed remarkable that under the Royal Charter of King 
Charles from its reception in 1663 to May, 1729 — a period of sixty- 
four consecutive years — the annual elections of the united Colony all 
occurred in Newport, and that no less than eighteen of her citizens 
were consecutively elected to the honorable office of Governor. Five 
of them died m office. Governor William Coddington included — he had 
become a Quaker in common wiih other persons of condition in New- 
port. Others of these Governors, sometimes for several direct or 
collateral generations, were of the same family, and of the eminent 
list Governor Samuel Cranston, son of Governor John Cranston, was 
annually elected for thirty consecutive years, from May, 1698, to 1727^ 
when he died in office in the month of April just prior to Election 
day. Naturally with these conditions Election day was not only the 
occasion of great political importance but also a family reunion in 
numerous households in Newport, where the Governor might be a 
grandfather, a nephew, or a grandson, and related to two-thirds of the 
community. 

Some of these worthy Governors were venerable men when 
elected, as for example, Nicholas Easton the Settler, who was last 
chosen Governor of the Colony at the age of eighty in 1672. No 
wonder that his posterity even to the present are blessed with vigor- 
ous long life. Governor Easton, leaving a large and valuable estate, 
as well as an excellent record, died in 1675 — ^ Quaker — he had given 
the land whereon the F'riends' meeting-house still stands, but lies 
buried with some six other of the chief magistrates of Rhode Island 
in the Coddington ground on Farewell Street, not a stone's throw 

12 



from where his own home, the first house built in Newport, had stood 
before it was burned by the Indians — accidentally, it is believed, not 
maliciously. The Indians do not appear to have purposely misbehaved 
on this Island at any time although precautionary measures were 
sometimes employed in view of their depredations elsewhere in the 
Colony. 

The name of Cranston figures often in the annals of the Colony 
and Samuel Cranston was undoubtedly one of its best Governors. 
Son of Governor John Cranston, he probably held office longer than 
any man ever subjected to an annual popular election. His just 
views and inflexible firmness kept his constituency well in hand and 
carried the Colony — " explormg unknown paths of government,'' 
writes Dr. Turner — safely through a season of severe trial. In the 
paper money vexation, the early forerunner of so many years of dis- 
comfort to the State he "acted as best he could." Liberal towards 
religious sects, yet neither joming nor attending meetings himself, he 
was beloved and esteemed. A sterling good man. And he also pro- 
tected and assured the public welfare when the Colony was threatened 
both at home and abroad. It is only the other day that one of the 
last homesteads of the family by the name of Cranston fell to give 
space to the Army & Navy Y. M. C. A. under the very shadow of the 
State House, but the house ot Governor Samuel Cranston stood on 
the site of the store of the Messrs. Covell on Thames Street and there 
the patriarchal old Governor was wont to sit on his stoop — a word not 
much employed in New England — smoking his pipe in the shade of a 
large tree. Across the Main Street, a little back, stood the stone 
house of his father, the earlier Governor John. This was pulled down 
after the Revolutionary War by Charles Feke, a well known charac-. 
ter, who spent his own later years in a house on the Parade. Both 
the Governors Cranston, father and son, are buried beneath a single 
flat stone in the old Common Burial Ground, and three score years ago 
many innocent little children held impromptu wild strawberry feasts 
on this and the other convenient table slabs hard by. 

While the General Assembly was sitting at Newport in the 
month of June, 1732, James Franklin, a printer, from Boston, not long 
settled on the Parade, probably at first in the old schoolhouse west of 
the present Mall, petitioned to be employed as printer to the Colony, 
having been at great expense in establishing a printing press, and so 
forth, at Newport. — This press may now be seen in the Patent Oflfice 
in Washington — and the Assembly voted Franklin ;6^20 at the year's 
end " provided he print 20 copies of what general acts shall be passed 
by the General Assembly within that time.'' This was not the first 

13 



effort for such patronage. Young Bradford had come from his 
father's press in New York twenty-one years earlier and offered ser- 
vices at a much higher rate. 

With all modesty it can be claimed that Newport had become, at 
the time of her first Centennial, 1739 — a thriving seaport town — out 
stripping all her neighbors far and wide. Richard Munday was super- 
intending the new brick Colony house; shipping was thnvmg; Godfrey 
Malbone and other merchants, many of them Hebrews, facing the 
Main Street and the Parade. A few years before, in '32 — that good old 
Governor Samuel Cranston had been gathered to his fathers. Young 
blood had buried him with all proper respect — but then felt the need 
for a change. "Why should it always be Newport.-* nothing but New. 
port," murmured the other towns, and, surprising to relate, Joseph 
Jenks of Providence was nominated and elected to the vacant office of 
Governor. Newport stood aghast! Violate a custom so secure as this! 
Never! The Governor had always been a Newport man — and with a 
Newport residence, down to Newport must Governor Jenks come, 
and so he did, family, furniture and all, and the General Assembly, 
perhaps sheepishly, voted a hundred pounds to pay the expenses thus 
incurred. It is regrettable that Miss Kimball died before a second 
edition of her very able book could tell us where in Newport Governor 
Jenks fixed his residence for the five years that he held office. 

After the sale of the wooden colony house and while the present 
one was slowly growing up — poor Munday died before it was finished 
within — and the Assembly voted certain due moneys to his widow. 
The Assembly met where it was feasible, often at the house of 
Thomas Potter on Broad Street, who eventually received a good sum 
for the privilege as well as that of there holding both Inferior and 
Superior Courts, but there seem no particulars to be found of the in- 
conveniences attending the Inauguration of the Governors, Chairs and 
other furnishings lacking a good while after the new Colony building 
was put into use. 

On the retirement of Governor Jenks, the first of the four gover- 
nors by the name of Wanton was elected. William, who died a few 
months later and was succeeded by his brother John who served from 
1734 to 1740, when he also died in office, during a turbulent time with 
a Spanish War and much excited preparation for defence and offence 
in the Colony. These Governors Wanton were the two, who as very 
young men, had been summoned to England to receive Coat armor 
augmentation and fine inscribed pieces of plate from Queen Ann her- 
self in honor of their clever capture of a very troublesome F^rench pri- 
vateer or pirate craft infesting this coast. In 1740, Richard Ward of 

14 



Newport was proclaimed Governor from the Balcony over the high door 
of the Colony house and during his time of office in 1741 the now ancient, 
but then, as ever, Honorable Artillery Company of Newport was in- 
stituted and chartered, the Governor's personal body guard, the 
leading young gentlemen of the town under arms for work as" well as 
display. 

In 1760 — an alteration took place in the method of conducting the 
Election. The town meeting days were made the actual voting day, 
and thus the third Wednesday in April really became the period of 
decisive political struggle, and Election-day, as ancient habit contmued 
to call it, ceased to be other than the occasion of official promulgation 
of the result of the vote and the inauguration of the new Government 
each year at Newport. 

From the time of Governor Jenckes to that of the Revolution 
many Governors were elected from among the citizens of Newport, 
but by degrees more and more were intermingled from the other 
towns. Warwick and Providence alternated for some years, then 
Samuel Ward of Westerly came over the ferries, and walked up the 
Parade a private citizen and down it, the Governor. He and Stephen 
Hopkins the Signer — a stronger man than his sailor brother — alter- 
nated through the exasperating time of the Stamp Act. Ward was a 
strong character. It was the time when men's blood began to boil in 
their veins and faces grew grim and angry, so it is not very strange 
that when the Revolution burst into active revolt, Joseph Wanton 
some time Governor but a quiet Quaker, was acclaimed a Tory and 
summarily ordered out of the Gubernatorial seat. It has never been 
proved that he was not honest, and it is claimed that true to his train- 
ing he tried by temporizing to avert the coming blast. He was de- 
posed on the 7th of November 1775 and with his going the venerable 
old chair of the Governors of the Colony was vacated for ever. But 
the " good old Charter" was not dead. It was in safe keeping and to 
survive for many generations to come. 

In November, 1779, immediately after many of the British had 
hurriedly embarked from Rrenton's Point, hard by where Fort Adams 
is now — and those that remained, like the Hessians, were mostly in 
Portsmouth— under ground, a new chair of State, that of the State 
of Rhode Island was metaphorically brought into use, and Nicholas 
Cooke of Providence was elected to sit in it. Not within the newly 
named " State House "of Newport — that was almost a ruin reeking 
with the horrible filth of a military hospital. 

The small boy had no election fun that year, although his elders 
never had greater cause to rejoice as they opened their doors and 

15 



helped the members of the General Assembly to clamber up to the 
sills. Poverty and desolation stared from all sides. The dwellings 
were shells, if not burned. Doorsteps torn away, windows gone — the 
remaining inhabitants wan with famine, many had fled — some were 
demented. 

But it is always darkest before the dawn and although the Revo- 
lution was far from ended the General Assembly had come back to 
Newport from what the British called " that hornets' nest,'' Provi- 
dence, to sit where they could — in the calm recess of the Jews' syna- 
gogue, among the torn fragments of the books Dr. Stiles had so 
prized in the Redwood Library, or in the hollow stillness of the 
Friends' meeting-house, recently used as a military woodshed. 

Thus a new life faintly coursed in the depleted veins of this town 
and while Newport never regained her Colonial prosperity, no enemy 
has again invaded the Parade and none but political dissensions — 
some very bitter it is true — have occasionally jarred the annual festiv- 
ity and solemnity of Election Day to the end of the 19th century. 

From the close of the Revolutionary War until the present, less 
and less, names of citizens of Newport are found in the list of Gov- 
ernors. The last to hold the office was George Peabody Wetmore, so 
long as a quarter of a century ago.* 

I had hoped to call to mind the exciting years coeval with those 
of the French Revolution, Jay's treaty, Jeffersonian simplicity, a stir- 
ring hour, the extraordmary Dorr War and the melting of the " Good 
old Charter '' into the new Constitution of the State— all fraught with 
many scenes on the Parade — and also to read from several files of the 
Newport Mercury able accounts of the proceedings on various Elec- 
tion Days, noticeably those mentioned and those of 1798 and of 
1858-9, which give able and distinct descriptions of these vanished 
scenes, but the clock in the Statehouse rings the flight of time and I 
have been asked to describe the impressions of some of the children 
who lived on the Parade in the fifties and up to the date of the great 
Rebellion ; that intensity that wiped away many of the earlier themes 
of remembrance and practically forms the barrier between the past 
and the present of our United States. 



•Since this paper was read another citizen of Newport, R. Livingston 
Beeckman, has been elected Governor of the State. -Ed. 



16 



SOCIETY NOTES 



We regret that the pressure of 
other matters has so long delayed 
the printing of the second portion 
of Miss Powel's most interesting 
paper until now. One advantage 
can be seen, however, in that 
these words come with new in- 
terest to those who then heard 
them so long ago. 

Every effort is being made to 
begin work upon the new fireproof 
building and it is now confidently 
expected to break ground in the 
Sprmg. 

New Mfmbers 
Elected since last issue. 

LIFE MEMBER 

Mr. Henry R. Taylor 

SUSTAINING MEMBER 

Col. Charles Hayden. 

ANNUAL MEMBERS 

Mrs. J. R. Busk 

Mrs. Anna Wharton Wood 

Mrs. Walter S. Andrews 

Mr. Charles M. Cole 

Mrs. E. Hayward Ferry 

Mr. and Mrs. Elias Henley White 

Mrs. Frank J. Sprague 

Hon. John M. Whitehead 

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 

Mrs. Thomas P. Peckham 
Miss Eva S. C. Brightman 
Miss Bessie Stanton 



Mr. William H. Stanton 
Mr. Clarence Wanton Balis 
Mr. Thomas Sergeant Perry 

SOME NEW ACCESSIONS TO THE 
LIBRARY 

A collection of books, pamphlets 
and manuscripts, belonging to the 
late Benjamin B. Howland, the 
first librarian of this Society, has 
been donated by his granddaugh- 
ter, Miss Elizabeth G. Sherman. 
This includes several interesting 
early Newport imprints, the New- 
port Daily News, first and second 
volumes, 1846, nearly complete; 
and among the manuscripts are 
the following, of especial interest 
to the members of the Newport 
Historical Society, as they show an 
effort to carry out our present ob- 
jects many years before our incor- 
poration, and two years before the 
establishment of the Southern cab- 
inet of the Rhode Island Historical 
Society, which was located in 
Newport. This was about two years 
before the Rhode Island Historical 
Society was founded in Providence. 

"We the Subscribers agree to 
meet at time & place hereafter to 
be agreed upon & form a Society 
to be Called the ' Newport Histor- 
ical & Antiquarian Society' for 
the purpose of preserving all an- 
cient manuscripts, or whatever 



17 



may be of use in furthering the 

objects of the society. 

Newport loth mo. 6th 1820 
Stephen Gould 
Henry Bull 
Chrs. E. Robbins 
Henry Ruggles 
James Stevens 
Edw.*^ W. Lawton 
John Rodman 
Isaac Gould 
David Rodman 
Peter P. Remington 
Enoch Hazard 
Benjamin Had wen 
B. Hazard 
Geo. Engs 
T. H. Mumford 
Thomas Hrinley." 

(The above names are signa- 
tures.) 

"In pursuance of the above agree- 
ment a meeting was held at 
Stephen Gould's shop on Saturday 
evenmg 28 October 1820 & a peti- 
tion drawn & sign'd to be presented 
to the General Assembly of this 
State at their next Session praying 
the Loan of the State records for 
the purpose of making Such ex- 
tracts as may be thought proper. 
Geo. Engs, Scribe. 

" To The Hon. ^''e Gen.' Assembly 
of the State of Rhode Island & 
Providence Plantations at their 
Session next to be holden in 
Providence. 
The Petition of the undersign'd 

respectfully sheweth 



That they have associated them- 
selves for the purpose of collecting 
& preserving such ancient records 
& documents and all such informa- 
tion as may come to their knowl- 
edge relating to the history of this 
State and have agreed to Style 
themselves " The Newport Histor- 
ical and antiquarian Society.'' 
And for the better prosecution of 
the objects of the institution ; they 
pray Your Hon.^'^ body to grant 
them the loan of the ancient 
records of the Colony & State 
aforesaid not exceeding two vol- 
umes at a time the President of 
the Society giving a proper receipt 
therefor — And they further pray 
Your Hon.bie gody that the Town 
clerk of the town of Newport for 
the time being may be authoriz'd 
to certify copies from the same. 
And your petitioners as in duty 
bound will ever pray 

Henry Bull 
Henry Ruggles 
Geo. Engs 
Enoch Hazard 
T. M. Mumford 
C. E. Robbins 
Benjamin Hadwen 
Isaac Gould 
Stephen Gould 
James Stevens 
John Rodman 
B. Hazard 
Edw.^ VV. Lawton 
David Rodman 
Peter P. Remington 
Thomas Brinley" 



18 



OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

For the year ending May^ igi^ 



President, HON. DANIEL B. FEARING 
First Vice-President, REV. RODERICK TERRY, D. D. 

Second Vice-President, MR. FRANK K. STURGIS 

Third Vice-President, MR. ALFRED TUCKERMAN 

Recording Secretary, MR. JOHN P. SANBORN 

Corresponding Secretary, MR. GEORGE H. RICHARDSON 

Treasurer, MR. HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. 

Librarian, MISS EDITH MAY TILLEY 

Curator of Coins and Medals, DR. EDWIN P. ROBINSON 

Board of Directors 

THE OFFICERS and 

for three years 
MRS. HAROLD BROWN DR. WILLIAM S. SHERMAN 

MRS. RICHARD C. DERBY ' MR. JOB PECKHAM 

for two years 
MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON MR. HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 

MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT MR. GEORGE L. RIVES 

FOR ONE YEAR 

MRS. WILLIAM R. MORGAN COL. C. L. F. ROBINSON 

MR. JONAS BERGNER REV. GEORGE V. DICKEY 




BULLETI 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

Number Sixteen NEWPORT, R. I. April, 1915 

SOME OF OUR FOUNDERS 



Sixty Years Ago 



A Paper Read before the Society, February 16, 1914 

By Miss M. E. POWEL^, 



History, evidently in part local, was one of the topics outlined by 
the rules of the Philosophical and Literary Society of Newport, that 
antedated the Redwood Library, for one of its members, the Rev- 
erend John Callender, preached in this very Meeting House by 
courtesy — his own was rebuilding — a sermon containing the first 
history of Newport ever written, just one century after the settlement 
in 1639. The Reverend Arthur R. Ross, also a Baptist minister, 
delivered a second centennial sermon in 1838, and he had joined, the 
previous year, the Rhode Island Historical Society, wherein was Mr. 
Henry Bull of Newport, member since its foundation. Unfortu- 
nately, Mr. Bull died in 1841, leaving his own excellent truthful 
compilation of the history of Newport, drawn largely from records, 
incomplete, and lost in the columns of newspapers that few valued 
enough to preserve. 

As Miss Tilley has shown us by her exhaustive paper on the 
Newport Historical Society in its earlier days, and also on its connec- 
tion with the Rhode Island Society, there existed in Newport a num- 
ber of intelligent citizens, who heartily desired to preserve the inter- 
esting records and stories of this beautiful Island. Many of these 
gentlemen who associated themselves together as founders of this 



Society were friends of my father, and as I was his frequent compan- 
ion at home and abroad, I venture to offer you a few childish remem- 
brances. 

Of course, half way down the sixty years of its existence,— thirty 
years ago — our Society suddenly ceased to fight for its bread, and be- 
came the happy owner of the beautiful old Church that has been its 
home ever since. 

All the same, because we are corporately improved, it does not 
follow that we be any better in mind than we were sixty years ago. 
We are only grown more systematic and practical. Many facts we 
would gladly know now are gone forever with those beneath the 
stones in our old graveyards. 

But let us remember while we can some of those who were the 
sponsors of the benefits we do reap, and who so heartily desired to 
give down to us all they had of the old time before them. 

Of the eleven members from Newport, found in the first year, 
1822, of the Rhode Island Historical Society, but two, Christopher 
Ellery Robbins, Esq., ana the Hon. Henry Y. Cranston, survived to 
become founders of this Historical Society in 1853, thirty-one years 
later. But from time to time, twelve more gentlemen of Newport 
had been elected into the Society in Providence, of whom eight were 
associated with our own foundation. We have three lists used in the 
two preliminary and the Charter meetings that give some four score 
and more names that may be termed those of our Founders. 

Heading the list of the preliminary meeting on the 8th of February, 
1853, stand four divines, others are scattered in the lists ensuing. 
For convenience, they are given together. 

The Rev. A. H. Dumont comes to mind as tall, cheerful, wise 
and elderly. When a lively boy, he had been tutored by the Rev- 
William Patton (an admirable scholar and worthy man, who had 
succeeded Dr. Ezra Stiles in the pastorate of the Second Congrega 
tional Church on Clarke Street, and held it from 1786 to 1833, forty, 
seven years, and whose tomb is beside that of Dr. Hopkins, close to 
Dr. Thayer's Church on Spring Street.) Then in his turn, Mr- 
Dumont succeeded to his old pastor and master Dr. Patton's pulpit, 
on the union of the two Congregational Churches, remaining until he 
went to New Jersey in 1841, and gave place to Mr. Thatcher Thayer, 
another young man of promise. Dr. Dumont wrote a brief notice of 
"The History of the Congregational Church in Newport, including 
the Articles of F'aith and Church Government." He married Miss 
Clarke, of the old Mill Street family, and a fine portly couple they 
made, with a friendly word for all their acquaintance as they took 



their daily walks. They returned from New Jersey, some years before 
their deaths, which occurred not far apart, I think, in the early 
seventies. 

The Rev. Samuel Adlam, pastor of the First Baptist Church in 
Newport, and writer on ecclesiastical topics, delivered a lecture before 
the Newport Historical Society in 1871— "The Origin of the Institu- 
tions of Rhode Island." This pamphlet, ot twenty-five pages, was 
printed in Providence. Loved and respected, he survived to a good 
old age, and his widow — vastly his junior, later married Mr. William 
C. Langley, and still lives, the picture of charming old age, in Ports- 
mouth, Rhode Island. This lady is apparently the very last survivor 
of the generation of those who were our Founders.* 

And Mr. Brewer, rector first of Trinity and then of Emmanuel, 
truly a good man and probably the pioneer here, in increasing activity 
in a parish. He knew me before I remember him, for he baptized 
me. What a fine name he had ! Darius ! But he was more saintly 
than kinglike. I know, for I peeped up at him out of our well-like 
little pew near the pulpit. He seemed so gentle, and how pious I 
thought him ! The full gathered white surplice, and the rustling 
black gown, a halo of yellow-brown hair, and whiskers enframing his 
face. And I heard vague talk among the ladies about good Miss 
Phoebe Bull's generosity when she died, All Saints' Chapel, Missions, 
Gas Works and Mills; and then — Miss Tew and the wedding, Em- 
manuel to be built, and — oh glorious! about 1855 an enormous fair in 
Ocean Hall, the ball-room in the top of the Colony of the Ocean 
House, and Mrs. Birckhead won the prize album ! It was all about 
Newport, poetry, pictures and prose by various authors and artists. 
Where can it be now ? 

There are some verses by " Poet " Tuckerman on Dr. Channing, in 
which allusion is made to the Doctor's sermon on the occasion of the 
installation of the Rev. Charles T. Brooks in the Unitarian Church in 
Newport, in 1836, when but twenty-three years of age. Mr. Brooks 
deserves full acknowledgment by the Historical Society. With un- 
flagging cheerfulness he led his flock into literary as well as spiritual 
pastures, interspersing the stony way with scraps of song and even 
children's rhymes. While under the stress of partial blindness, he 
never lost faith or heart, taught himself to write with a mechanical 
device, and to the last hour of his life was Emeritus indeed. And his 



*NoTE— Mrs. Langley died 15th, September, 1914. Many of the Rev. Mr. 
Adlam 's papers and portraits of himself, his mother and step- father have been 
placed in the rooms of our Society, on Touro Street. 



scholarly qualifications, those laborious translations into fluent English 
of Jean Paul Richter's complicated style; the many others — there were 
twenty-nine volumes published away from Newport — and all the 
minor works from his nimble pen. Merry Carriers' jingles, numerous 
verses for special occasions, the History of the Unitarian Church in 
Newport, a brief sketch of this town, in an early publication, and that 
charming, long poem on Newport delivered at the " Reunion of the 
Sons and Daughters in 1859.'' 

" Come up to the Hilltop, there, waiting for you. 
With slightly changed costume — still modest and true. 
Friend Redwood looks forth with the forehead he wore, 
Calm, classic, majestic and pensive of yore." — 

The old building had just been enlarged on the East. 

To Mr. Brooks' study — his books were more than one good room 
could hold, "they were all over the house," — came, among a host of 
celebrities, James Freeman Clarke, Professor Norton, MacKaye, the 
English poet, Emerson, who lacked sense of humor and must have 
missed many pleasures at those moments, and Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, 
to whom Mr. Brooks tendered his pulpit. Probably, outside of Friends' 
Meeting, she was the first woman in Newport to speak in such fashion; 
certainly the first in what had been once upon a time Dr. Hopkins' 
old meeting house. 

Master of German, with knowledge of French, Spanish and Italian, 
Mr. Brooks was perpetually besieged by foreigners of all degrees, ed- 
ucated and ignorant, too happy to find an American who could under- 
stand the syllables of their native tongues, and not infrequently anxi- 
ous to learn of some channel of assistance. Many of us can remember 
the series of self-styled "teachers," who streamed into Newport in the 
vain hope of finding pupils. Urbane and unselfish, Mr. Brooks set 
Jean Paul aside, while to the best of his ability he did what he could, 
and then his tender heart ached over the things impossible to accom- 
plish. 

He was never so happy as in his Sunday School. The bronze 
medallion now set in his Church will carry the lineaments of this fol- 
lower of the godly Dr. Channing down to a remote posterity of those 
young people to whom he was personally the friend throughout the 
seventy years of his life. 

The Rev. Dr. Choules, irreverently called "Johnny" by some of 
his scholars, kept a school in the house next east of Dr. Thayer's 
Church on Pelham Street. Long after, it passed through the hands 
of his widow to Mr. Fay, who had married her niece. Dr. Choules was 



pastor of the Second Baptist on Farewell Street from 1827 to 1833 
and also from 1847 to 1856. You remember that nice brown Gothic 
structure, with the "Governors' Burial Ground" nestled in the sun- 
shine of its front door, just across North Baptist Street. In the early 
fifties, he acted as chaplain on the European cruise of the North Star, 
Mr. Vanderbilt's yacht. His published account shows how many 
prayer meetings took place. I wonder if there are many such yacht voy- 
ages nowadays. Many were the tales told of the eccentric, clever, good 
man. For convenience, he wore sometimes a rough pea jacket, a red 
comforter about his neck, and a big cap pulled over his eyes. Gossip 
giggled out, what Truth cannot vouch, that when the first Mrs. 
Choules was ill, he built a boat in the loft over her head, and then to 
get it out was a problem. He was a little in the type of the blunt 
Cromwellian, and study that period he did! 

He re-edited, adding laborious notes, Toulmin's Edition of Neal's 
History of the Puritans. Read it, and the admirable annotations that 
he made to the American Edition of Forster's Statesmen of the 
Commonwealth, John Hampton and others. These books, dry-as-dust 
only in titles, are to be found in the Redwood, where is also a printed 
catalogue of Dr. Choules' own library— it was sold after his death, 
prefaced by a long re-print from some magazine of an article written 
by a capable hand, describmg at large Dr. Choules' own study in 
Newport during his life-time. 

And when through with these, there are, or were— not long 
since, to be seen faint traces, scraps of paper, marking pages and the 
like, undoubtedly inserted in the Redwood's old folios by Dr. Stiles 
when writing the History of the Regicides, and left untouched four 
score years later by the reverent hands of Dr. Choules. There does 
not appear to have been very wide research into that period in the 
Library, except by those two parsons. Curious, too, in consideration of 
the number of Cromwellians who settled in these New England colo- 
nies ; and, more to the point, that it is not only the fore-runner of our 
own republican heart, but also one of the most extraordinary and pic- 
turesque periods of England's story. The Redwood has a good store 
of the old folios as well as of the writers of later date. But beware of 
those dear old leather backs in cold weather, their aged frames burst 
apart with the first touch. 

Of the library of our Historical Society, growing more rich each 
year in this fine Memorial room dedicated by a loving daughter to 
Dr. David King, personally I can say but little, for the books are wisely 
kept to be read here. From the Redwood and Peoples Library we 
may carry them home to study at our leisure, but Miss Maud Stevens, 



truly a student, says that " there is no place in this town where one 
can read and study with more comfort, quiet, and convenience than 
here: and not only does the Historical Society help grown people in 
their work, but it is doing a service of great worth to the children, of 
whom a very large number, properly chaperoned, are frequent visitors 
and eager questioners as to the many objects of interest and study in 
our Museum. They are unquestionably developing in their early 
years not only a taste for the moment but an inclination to pursue in- 
vestigations in later years." 

I never saw the Rev. Henry Jackson, pastor of Central Baptist 
Church on Clarke Street, from 1847 to 1863. This church had been 
sold by the Congregationalists at the time of the coalition of their two 
churches and entirely altered from its Colonial dress, but it would be 
interesting to know if the fine Clagget Clock, almost a duplicate of 
our own in the Historical' s Meeting house, had marked time for Dr. 
Stiles in remote days. Dr. Jackson, although not native, both loved 
Newport and studied her story. He wrote several times on the history 
of churches here, as well as on other religious matters, and in 1854, 
one month before our founding, he preached and printed " An His- 
torical Discourse." But let the great chart covered with manuscript 
notes of his writing, and deposited by the Redwood Library in the 
King Library of the Historical, testify to his industry. It is loaned 
here for the use of students — a store house of knowledge ! 

If only some quiet winter an amiable hand would number it off 
into sections in accord with one of our " Town Atlases " and trans- 
cribe into a book all those items so patiently set down by the worthy 
doctor, and so impossible to decypher after one has become stiffbacked 
and purblind ! 

The Rev. Kensey J. Stewart, according to printed account, was 
an early missionary, 1852-185?, in the field that finally developed into 
Emmanuel Church, and on withdrawing from Newport, he undertook 
a parish in Virginia. 

Just after coming here in 1852 he delivered an oration on "The 
Centennial Anniversary of the Initiation of General Washington'' 
among the Free Masons, that was printed by Mr. Atkinson. 

Dr. Thayer — He who succeeded to the brief ministration of Mr. 
Dumont, in 1841 and long outlived all these others, needs none of 
my poor words. But how he encouraged me to delve into the wars 
of Cromwell ! Lying in that high-backed tilting arm-chair in his 
Sanctum, between the table and the fireplace, surrounded by his sol- 
emn books, the sun streaming in over the French Officers' huge white 
lilac outside, and the venerable Domine excited in his view of the 

6 



Roundhead days, waving his arm in the air, his black skull-cap and 
plum-colored study gown looking like the garb of an ancient Hebrew, 
as he sank back exhausted exclaiming, "But the Jews, the Jews, my 
child, study the Jews, ihey are the greatest people the Almighty ever 
made ! Nevertheless I will get you Edmund Ludlow from the Brown 
University Library," and he did ! 

I met Dr. Thayer one Thanksgiving morning in the street. He 
was gesticulating violently. I made him a reverence, "May I say — 
Happy Thanksgiving .?" "Thanksgiving!" he thundered. "Thanks- 
giving — smell that house ! Who can be thankful over cabbage ?" 

Last of all, at his funeral in '94, The crowded church, the Artillery 
Company that he loved, and of which he was chaplain for twenty- 
seven years, giving him the military honor — soldier of Christ, friend of 
young men — that was his due. And the tiny aged frame, resting 
peacefully below the Flag, left a last message, for on that flag was a 
branch of palm, and there, too, a great white lily reared its head, shed- 
ding fragrance and pointing straight up above the old reading desk ta 
on high. 

It was in the house of the busy young architect, Mr. George 
Champlin Mason, that the first of the two preliminary meetings for 
the formation of this Society took place. The locality of the others 
and of the Charter Meeting are not mentioned, but the dates are the 
8th and the 14th of February, 1853, and February 14th, 1854, is the 
third. Those gentlemen certainly chose a romantic tutilary Saint for 
the grave topics of antiquity. Having given place to the first session, 
good manners compel that Mr. Mason's name stands next after proper 
respect to the cloth. Has he not earned it, too.!* Consider his labor 
in print. That early folio volume of "Newport Sketches," 1842, costly 
now, a book for children. "The Application of Arts to Manufac- 
tures," "The Sons and Daughters Re-Union," The Guide Books of the 
Fifties, a folio illustrative of modern residences in Newport, those ex- 
quisite "Reminiscences," Annals of Trinity and the Redwood — and 
last, but not least, what he let me read in manuscript, and what I have 
re-read as annotated and enlarged by his son — the still unprinted life 
of his cousin Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. la addition there 
were many vagrant columns lost in newspapers, and there is another 
compilation that we may hope is safely kept by Mr. Mason, Jr. "The 
history of the Ancient and Honourable Artillery Company of New- 
port." It was only lack of funds that prevented its being printed. 

"The preliminary meeting took place at the house of Mr. George 
C. Mason." So migratory was Mr. Mason in his later life, for he 
built, occupied and sold several of his residences, that all of us may 



not remember that in 1853-4, ^^^ for a good while after, Mr. Mason, 
his wife and son resided in the dignified old house on the south corner 
of Thames Street and Champlin's Wharf. It is there now, Nos. 187-9, 
much built up on the side, and with shops pounded into space where 
were the drawing rooms in which General Washington drank tea with 
Mr. Mason's great-grandparents, and smiled on their daughter, the 
pretty Miss Peggy Champlin, who was to become the General's part- 
ner at one of the balls that week. Indeed, a goodly residence, well 
appointed, and in worthy hands to receive such a guest. Unaltered 
in 1853, no wonder it was selected for the first meeting of the New- 
port Historical Society. Besides participating myself in nursery tea- 
parties in that house, on one occasion, bragging at Mrs. Hunter's 
School — it was the hour of recess— I announced that "In Dr. Haz- 
ard's house, on the Parade, where I live, there is a bubbling spring in 
the cellar, and a barrel full of water in another corner." This was the 
wooden piped water from the great "Town Spring.'' "Pooh, pooh/' 
sneered Master Mason, "In mjy house, the tide rises and falls twice a 
day, there now !" 

Mrs. Mason, prevented by delicate health from taking active part 
in Newport life, was happy and contented in her home, and one of 
those dainty, old-style housekeepers of such exquisite neatness, who 
put our machine-aided life to the blush. Most of us know Mr. 
Mason's appearance, his slender frame, erect, rapid motions, and his 
delicate features enclosed by rather long, light, flowing locks. Across 
the broad aisle of Trinity from my coign of vantage, when perched 
standing on the seat of our pew — the only way that early piety could 
see was over the top — I sometimes thought, with the white wand of 
warden's office beside him, that he was St. John. Newport can well 
pride herself on this "worthy," and look for Trinity to hang on her 
wall some lastmg memorial to one of the longest serving and most 
faithful of the vestry, who died as much as twenty years ago. 

There is lacking from the list of members the name of Edward 
Peterson, a curious omission in that the very same year, 1853, he 
published "A History of Rhode Island," — this Island, not the State. 
There seems no record of him personally, save that he died not much 
later, in Providence. Possibly he may have been here but a short time. 
A brief notice of his work in one of the local papers condemned some 
inaccuracies — always probable in a first edition — also the misprinting 
of family names and the like, but in the main the book is useful and 
very readable. 

Of course no one supposes that 1 can remember all these "grown- 
up" gentlemen, on our lists at precisely the epoch of forming the 

8 



Historical Society, and, frankly, I do not remember when I first saw 
Mr. Prescott Hall or that gentle, old-style lady, his wife. I knew 
more of them, and of Malbone's Garden after 1854, and until the time 
of their deaths, fully a decade later. But it is only of Mr. Hall's 
books and mind there is need to speak. His library was a gem, a 
wing extending to the north of the house, lit by windows giving on the 
East upon Wanumetonomy's bare, rocky crest. Then the only trees 
to the north-east were a few young sprouts of Mr. Hall's own 
planting, near his house. And on the West, past the box garden, 
down beyond old Godfrey Malbone's snaky brook and open desolate 
swampy waste, part of poor William Dyer's old farm,— and a good, 
lonely place for running in cargoes in privateering days— over across 
the bright blue Bay to Narragansett's plum and purple haze, where 
arched the glowing sunset. Within, the crowded shelves, the worn 
arm-chairs, the littered table, the bright log-fire and Mr. Hall and his 
friends, clustering heads over some new found treasure. Mr. Hall's 
books were friends themselves, thumb notes and commentaries filled 
their margins, and showed that he talked with them as they with him. 

Even now, some stray dealer in old books will advertise " , 

2 vols. 1840, annotated by Prescott Hall, formerly a noted lawyer of 
New York State." After Mr. Hall's death, his library went 'under 
the hammer, and its habitat at Malbone's Garden was converted into 
a fine and hospitable dining room. It was vain to attempt it,— only 
"James River, Virginia, before the war," might have surpassed Mr. 
and Mrs. Hall's open-handed, daily life. On one branch, Mr. Hall 
came of Colonial Newport. Either his mother or his grandmother 
was a Miss Mumford. His wife was Miss Harriet de Wolf of 
Bristol. 

One of Mr. Hall's best intimates was Mr. James Birckhead, also 
a gentleman of learning, and a founder of our Society. Baltimore 
born, married to a daughter of the late Minister to Brazil, the Hon. 
William Hunter, and returned from his own long business career in 
Rio de Janeiro to make a home for the remainder of his life in New- 
port. That cosy cottage on Mary Street, crowded with pictures, 
silver and porcelains, some imperial gifts, where Mr. and Mrs. Birck- 
head and their two children welcomed guests of all ages! Mr. 
Birckhead's own library, while not so extensive as that of Mr. Hall, 
showed no signs of "never having been cut," and with his cigar (or 
was it a pipe i*) and his book, he sat on his porch, his hearty laugh 
and kindly voice mingling with those of his neighbor, Mr. Duncan 
Pell. Messrs. Hall, Birckhead, Pell and Stockton, bosom friends all, 
and pillars of the Reading Room on the Hill, that misnamed mansion, 



but also pillars of the Redwood Library. As for Mr. Pell, his name 
is not on the earliest lists of the Historical Society only because he did 
not come to Newport until the following summer, and then to spend a 
single week, but captured by the sunset, scenery and society he 
promptly bought Colonel Perry's empty home, the Champlin house on 
Mary Street, and lived there until his death. I could not say anything 
about Messrs. Hall and Birckhead without mentioning their kindred 
spirit. And their three libraries flew about between them as if the 
books had wings. 

When typhoid fever carried off that skilled dentist, Dr. Berry, 
in the early seventies, all Newport mourned the loss of a good friend 
and citizen. Now I knew Dr. Berry well, before 1853, ^^^ confess 
that at that early age I hated him, although he was even then reputed 
a very gentle savage ! But what child ever willingly climbed up those 
steep, narrow stairs on Mary Street, to the second floor of what had 
once been the Colonial residence of Dr. and Mrs. Hunter — and she a 
Malbone — Mrs. Birckhead's grandparents. "Open, please !" Ah, I 
can see that big door-plate now, (Mr. Secretary Richardson of our 
Society says that all the old door-plates at Newport are now melted 
down.) R. P. Berry. ''Open PleaseV as you stretched shivering on 
that bed — no, chair, of Procrustes. And between frightful scrunches 
and gouges you saw that nice peach tree in blossom or fruit in Mr. 
Barber, the book-seller's garden across the street, while your father 
and Dr. Berry ralked calmly on erudite topics, such as chemicals, his- 
toric matters, and fossils, or foot prints in alluvial — "Open, Please" — 
red sandstone in the Connecticut Valley. True, we were finally only 
wedged and taken to see Mrs. Berry's pretty little aquarium after our 
woes were ended, and the descent from Avernus was not so bad, 
while the tall, black-haired, rather sad gentleman dismissed us from 
the top of the stairs. I suppose he was so pale because he was 
ashamed of being such a villain. One child sneaked on board and 
travelled up and down from Providence to escape him, and her mother 
and father almost had fits before the "Perry" got back to Newport. 

That little aquarium of Mrs. Berry's came from the maker or in- 
ventor of improved aquariums in the United States, a member of this 
Society who long outlived its foundation, and who contributed to local 
literature one of the most practical, wise compilations ever made in 
the City of Newport — Mr. Charles E. Hammett and his "Biblio- 
graphy." My first remembrance of Mr. Hammett — owing to the 
greater attractions of the sealing-wax, wafers, pens and pencils, and 
ruled paper, mcluding also unattractive school books of Mr. Barber, 
the bookseller — was not in the Main Street, but energetically finish- 

10 



ing, with his own hands, the interior of a gigantic sea-water aquarium 
that he had been requested to provide and construct for the Academy 
of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, a great honor indeed. We little 
Powels fairly adored that institution, then on Broad Street, and, how 
or why I do not know, we were constantly within its sacred inner 
parts, the library and little working rooms, for example, the cuddy 
where Dr. Joseph Leidy, in a waiter's apron, was patching out the 
Hadrosorus Foulkii, etc. Well, the iron-framed aquarium was being 
set up in state, in a large library room near a window, a dusty one 
too, on the rear lower floor, a curtain or blind was going up, (and the 
sea-water was commg in casks from Cape May) and Mr. Hammett 
was daubing putty or something here, there and everywhere within 
the glass box. A lot of my father's scientific friends passed in and 
out, quite curious. Sometimes Mr, Hammett, on his knees, peered 
over the top — the tank was about six or seven feet long and half as 
high — and asked for something, and every one scurried to help. 

Now my father so often said that Mr. Charles Hammett had one 
of the most classic cameo-like heads that he had ever seen, that for 
years after, when I saw Mr. Hammett moving to and fro, within the 
oval counter formerly in his book store, I privately considered him 
"Neptune, the God of the Sea." Did any one ask Mr. Hammett 
about any book that he did not know of or any topic for which he 
could not advise a good one .■* 

Had Mr. Christopher Ellery Robbins, son of the Hon. Asher 
Robbins, M. C, not removed to Providence after relinquishing his 
post as Librarian to the Redwood that had "afforded many hours of 
unmixed gratification" to him, he might perhaps have found time to 
write a family history. What a pleasant book it could have been with 
his sisters Mrs. Goodwin and Mrs. Sophia Little to aid him! Many 
of us remember the latter, her philanthrophy and her verses, — in fact, 
the Ode to Virginia, written at the time of the execution of John 
Brown, while certainly seditious then, now reads like prophetic fire. 
Mr. Robbins we have recalled as one of the two surviving members of 
1822 in the Rhode Island Historical Society, and at the age of sixty 
he became one of the founders of that of Newport. He died in 1855, 
only two years and a half later. 

There are two Messrs. Coggeshall written down, Timothy, of 
whom I know nothing, and Russell, who I am able to bring forward 
with some detail, thanks to Mrs. George Coggeshall. There is more 
to be said in his favor than time admits. Inheriting a prosperous 
whaling business from his father, he speedily augmented it from thirty 
to seventy thousand dollars, and thus at the time of his death in 1864 

11 



was practically doubled or more. He was somewhat eccentric and 
naturally had his enemies, held himself rather aloof, yet did the kindest 
deeds, sub rosa. One of the philanthropic ladies of Newport was his 
almoner to the extent of five hundred dollars annually and none knew 
their benefactor. This is merely a suggestion of his daily life. By 
the way, he lived long, and died suddenly, in what had been Town- 
send's Coffee House, and was then as it is now — the United States 
Hotel. Mr. Coggeshall also followed in the footsteps of the Touros, 
in devoted care of the graves of his ancestors. The walls and the 
stones in the Coggeshall place of burial are monuments imperishable 
for centuries to come. He left the town a munificent gift for the aged, 
and to the Artillery Company, his portrait of George Washington. 
The list of his legacies is long and generous; in it figure a number of 
our founders who were his associates and friends. He sleeps in that 
graveyard with the pioneer Coggeshall, who came here in 1639, with 
Abraham Redwood, who married a Coggeshall, and with others of 
those names, scions of an ancestry that run back to the cockle shell 
of Crusaders, not in fiction, but in fact, and although the family by the 
name of Coggeshall is no longer found in England, it is a vein of pure 
blood richly entwined in the history of this Colony and traceable — 
mingled with many other of the best names, now extant, of New 
England, and of Old England too. 

I remember volumes about Rochambeau's Headquarters, old 
Madame Vernon, who died in 1857, and the delightful wife and child- 
ren of her son, Mr. Samuel Brown Vernon, who died very suddenly a 
year later — but of him, our founder, I remember nothing, and have 
turned to another small child of sixty years ago who says that "Mr. 
Vernon was a quiet gentleman, very much interested in the care of 
his garden" — my young friend lived where she could see it from her 
window — "flowers, fruit and vegetables, also cultivating with his own 
hands a certain sweet corn of high repute. He was Treasurer of the 
State for some time and went frequently to the old Bank on the Pa- 
rade," that was founded by either his father or his grandfather. 

Mr. Vernon married in 1830, Miss Peace, of Philadelphia, who 
long survived him, and, after spending a number of years in Europe 
with her daughters, died just after landing in New York in i88o. 

And just five months after our founding did die, Mr. Vernon's 
next door neighbor across the way, Colonel Christopher Grant Perry, 
son of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. None ever called him "Law- 
yer Perry" and few "Doctor," although he had studied for both pro- 
fessions. He was long the Colonel of the Newport Artillery, and to 
the thinking of all the children in Newport — next to the Governor — 

12 



the greatest man in the state. Colonel Perry was my father's most 
intimate friend in Newport, and his wife, Miss Sergeant of Philadel- 
phia, a great-granddaughter of Dr. Franklin, made another inherited 
friendship. Colonel Perry was of noble presence, rather reserved in 
manner, but with such a fine dignity that when out of his uniform, I 
was not overawed by him and would creep into the corner of the little 
sitting-room in Dr. Hazard's dear old house on the parade, that we 
rented, and listen to the sap in the fire logs singing an accompaniment 
to the conversation between him and my father. Colonel Perry had 
remarkable eyes, an inheritance from his mother, and in some part 
transmitted to his grandchildren, they seemed to see both within and 
without very clearly. His voice even to a child was deep and melo- 
dious. We chanced to go to Philadelphia the night that Colonel and 
Mrs. Perry and their oldest daughter made the same cold uncomfort- 
able journey. The "Sound Boat'' with one stove in the saloon and 
the interminable waits in the bitter air on the frozen docks of New 
York, and in that dirty shanty, the Jersey City waiting-room, were 
very trying. Already out of health that journey in December, 1853, 
gave Colonel Perry his death blow. He died in Philadelphia in April, 
1854, and never did Newport lose a better citizen or one of greater 
promise, for he was but little over forty years of age. 

Over the name of Mr, Joseph Jocelin I am puzzled. A Mr. Joce- 
lin maintained a school here well known before the war of 1812. A 
friend tells me that Mr. Joseph Jocelin, on our lists, was also master 
of a school. Whether father and son or the same person I question, 
but the school and its master's dwelling were in that pretty old house 
with an elaborate centre-door and a short flight stairway just inside it, 
that has very recently come down from the south side of Pelham 
Street, next east of Mr. Stewart's stables. The name Jocelin is given 
to this property in the city atlas of 1872. 

Jared Reid, Jr., Dr. Turner has written, was also a schoolmaster. 

The brothers, Hunter, Thomas Robinson, the older son, and gal- 
lant Captain Charles, of the navy, brothers of Mrs. Birckhead, and 
sons of the late Senator and Minister to Brazil, need hardly be 
brought to your remembrance. One of your directors, Mrs. Morgan, 
is a daughter of the older brother, and Miss Anna Falconet Hunter, 
long of the school committee and an energetic philanthropist, is of the 
family of Captain Charles, who, with his wife and another of his four 
daughters, sank in the ill-fated Ville de Havre, leaving by his behavior 
at that moment final testimony of his clear cool judgment and of a 
fortitude beyond bravery. 

In her first years this society mourned another such disaster in 

13 



the loss of a founder who was a brother of the prominent abolitionist 
and Congressman Charles Sumner, Mr. Albert Sumner. This 
gentleman had married a widow — Mrs. Barclay; they owned the pretty 
stone cottage yet on the S. W. corner of Bellevue and Narragansett 
Avenues, — a genial couple much liked. The only child of this mar- 
riage was very delicate and for the benefit of her health, they sailed 
for Europe in the French vessel Le Lyonais that foundered off 
Nantucket. In company with many others all three of the Sumners 
were lost. Now Mrs. Sumner was a woman of property and had 
children by her first marriage. There may have been a will, but there 
was no precedent and in a law-suit the court ruled, — the child died 
first, — the mother, more feeble than a man would be, — next, and Mr. 
Sumner last, — consequently the estate went to the Sumner heirs. 
The result was much discussed in Newport at the time. 

Located in the charming rococo house at the head of the Mall 
the Hon. William P. Sheffield lived long among us — still holding 
tenaciously to that mysterious drifting Island of Admiral Blok, out 
there in the blue sea. A leading lawyer, member of Congress, 
assuming various important offices in the State, deeply engaged in 
the work of his profession, yet, taking time to collate many items of 
history, on which he was held high authority, and to print not a few. 
It is to be hoped that there is written of him as good an obituary as 
that tendered by him to the memory of Dr. King. 

Robert J. Taylor always styled Doctor deserved his title — any 
compound prepared by him was sure to cure with skill, unless fate 
was against it. Dr. King too sent all his patients to him with those 
cabalistic scraps of paper no child could read, but before which all 
children trembled. 

His store was for those days large and the shelving and cornice 
worthy of preservation instead of destruction when his long lasting 
business was given up owing to the death of his successor and son, 
the surgeon of the Newport Artillery Co. — The store now No. 170 
Thames Street was in the old home of Dr. and Mrs. William Hunter 
of Colonial and Revolutionary days If I mistake not, our Director 
Mrs. Morgan has inherited a collection of Bristol pottery gallipots 
and the like that Doctor Taylor thoughtfully returned to the descend- 
ants of Dr. Hunter much over a century after that good Scotchman 
had died here of camp fever during the British occupation. Such 
pottery is priceless and it is improbable that there is another such 
treasure in America. Dr. Taylor was Secretary for thirty years and 
much interested m the Redwood Library. He died in 1871 and was 
buried with deep respect and solemnity, his brother Directors of the 

14 



Redwood, the Masons and other societies joining with many private 
friends in following him to his grave. 

Let me pause for a moment to call your attention to the deep 
impressions left by so many of those who lived here at that period. 
It is not the effect of my youth but the power possessed by strong fine 
natures, rounded by time and circumstance. 

Mr. William S. Nichols, the last of the long line of Silversmiths 
of Newport, (except ? Mr. Tisdale,) was born in 1785 in that grand 
old relic of the past— still standing, the White Horse Inn — Albeit, it 
was then, become the private residence of his parents, and in it he 
died eighty-seven years later, although some portion of his life was 
spent living over one of his shops in Thames Street. Of these, he had 
two. In 1806, he started in business for himself in a building near 
Mary Street, then removed to one, later Bryer's Exchange and now 
become the Colonial Theatre. Here he hived busy as a bee— but slow 
and gentle in stately politeness — while from his bench emanated a 
steady flow of silver, pure white, good weight, and as solid as shapely. 
No wonder ! He had been apprenticed to Thomas Arnold of renown 
in the previous century. Few young eouples found their happiness 
complete on setting up housekeeping unless their initials were en- 
twined upon six of Mr. Nichols' best teaspoons in his pretty script let- 
tering. But he was capable of much more than such small wares. In 
Colonial, yes, in old English days, silversmiths, while rated artisans, 
perhaps, from the material used in their trade, were almost always 
men of prominence and knowledge. Mr. Nichols, of a Quaker family, 
was in one fashion retiring, in others the reverse, interested in politics, 
member of the Assembly and holding other political offices, treasurer, 
etc., for half a century active in the "Mechanics' Association'' — there 
were no craftsmen here then; strongly for temperance and anti-slavery- 
He knew much and loved to chat about old days, and eagerly became 
a founder of this Society. On its recoid is spread a very beautiful 
tribute to his worth, evidently by Dr. King, and the Society followed 
the dear benevolent old gentleman to his grave in 1871, reverencing 
his high integrity and regretting that they and Newport would not 
look upon his like again. 

And Mr. George Bancroft, cantering over the Beach on his big 
white horse, dining his many friends, receiving celebrities, fostered in 
late life and somewhat overwhelmed, by the German valet, Hermann. 
Mr. Bancroft had the entire history of the United States inside his 
high forehead, let alone that of Newport. Mrs. Bancroft was culti- 
vated, charming ! Striped summer silks and a cashmir scarf, so re- 
fined, so bright, a gracious lady, grey hair puffing down each side of 

15 



her face into little broad plats looped into the coil behind. Neat, 
pretty caps and demure elderly bonnets. Mr. Bancroft never admitted 
me into the sanctum of books, but I could say much about the draw- 
ing rooms and grounds — they were first filled with Azalias rosea, and 
by degrees replaced by thousands of rose bushes. Hermann always 
slipped a good bunch of buds into the visitor's carriage. On almost 
the last birthday of the venerable sage, the very last time we entered 
his house, my mother and I went to offer our customary congratula- 
tions. We were early — he received us alone, motioned us to either 
side of him on a sofa, and recited to us a little poem of several stanzas, 
taught to him by his own mother on his sixth birthday. As we rose 
to leave, Mrs. Belmont came in carrying violets. 

One bright winter's day, with a crisp fall of snow sparkling over 
all the streets, well behind 1853, a slim black haired young man from 
Philadelphia was strolling up this cobbly old Touro Street, with a little 
daughter clinging to his finger. Down the steps of that fine old fam- 
ily home, on the corner of School Street, still full of relics of the past, 
oil portraits, porcelains and the like, came another slim quite young 
gentleman in a fur cap like Dr. Franklin's, and a big full Spanish 
cloak. His blue sleigh jingled merrily around the corner, then out he 
jumped. There was conversation about something when suddenly 
the newcomer turned to the black haired gentleman, and quickly lay- 
ing his hand on her shoulder said, "May I have your little girl?'' 
"Yes" said her cruel papa, "if you will be so kind." And before the 
horrified child could cry "No, no, no !" — she was taking her very first 
sleighride, tucked up in a buffalo robe beside Dr. Henry E. Turner, 
all the way down as far, probably, as Perry Street where gates and 
farm roads began, and then back again to Touro. Now she has never 
found any motor as swift as that heavenly sleigh. But this was only 
the first of many favors shown her by Dr. Turner, to whose love of 
the home of his adoption — he was East Greenwich, not Newport born 
— our Society can never be sufficiently recognisant. Besides his many 
printed papers, Miss Tilley has now deposited here, a wealth of sound 
and careful investigation that will prove his qualities of style and 
thought, and for which we can well be grateful to Dr. Turner's family 
for making us their custodian. 

Mr. William Littlefield, another of the aristocratic old gentlemen 
of Newport, lived in that gem of a house on High Street now pur- 
chased by Dr. Robinson. It was part of the generous legacy of Mr. 
Littlefield's widow to the Newport Hospital. This lady was a sister 
of Mrs. Fowler Gardiner and of Mrs. Bache. After Mr. Littlefield's 
death, a pet parrot — this is the anecdote of another child of the period, 

16 



not mine— on seeing some visitor enter, who greatly resembled Mr. 
Littlefield, squeaked loudly "Father, Father" and flew to his shoulder 
with every appearance of joy. They were a childless couple and made 
their lives the brighter by the strong regard of hosts of friends. It is 
only with the passing of that generation that their names have faded 
to the dim remembrance of a few then children. 

These early lists name three other Messrs. Turner— H. J., James, 
and George. There are also Messrs. George Hall who lived with some 
sisters on Broad Street, in a dainty white house with a little grass 
plat at the corner — blue, with grape hyacinths every spring; and 
Augustus Bush; S. Bradford; The Messrs. Cook, who with their 
sisters walked daily in a family party to watch the building of their 
new house on the corner of Bull Street, No. 22 Kay Street. There 
was no jerry buildmg on that occasion. Benjamin Watson, William 
Gardner, William S. Wetmore, Bellevue Avenue went down just to 
his gate until 1852 and then with a saw Mr. Alfred Smith cut across 
the old fence and drove his buggy in triumph to the Land's End. 
Modern fashionable Newport had come! Henry Bull, son of the 
historian, John D. Williams, Samuel Allen, George A. Richmond — 
most of us remember him too, — Messrs. Bailey, Joseph C. and William 
G., — and among others of whom I have faint recollection — mind you 
without question of their importance in the Historical Society or in 
Newport, — it is only possible to speak of what one knows, regardless 
of proper balance with the rest, — were the Messrs. Peleg and William 
Audley Clarke, the one married and living in a modern house long 
since razed to give space for an enlargment to the Redwood Library, 
and the other a bacheller, the cashier of the Bank of Rhode Island, 
who lived in the stout old family mansion on Mill Street (still standing) 
with his sisters, those gentlewomen, Miss Harriet Clarke and Mrs. 
Dumont. Many of these names are very familiar and generally it 
would be possible to place their relationships and habitations but lack 
of detail would make but a dull account. 

Mr. Thurston is probably a brother of Mrs. R. P. Berry, Miss 
Thurston who carried needlework into the fine arts — and Mrs. Dennis 
who died a few years ago — leaving a large share of family possessions — 
proofs in themselves of a pedigree running back to the first settlers. 
It Mr. Thurston resembled in mind his three sisters, certainly he must 
gladly have volunteered in the cause of local history. He owned a 
large tract of land on the west side of Broad Street, acres long in his 
ancient family. Mr. Thurston prepared a large part of the Catalogue 
of the Redwood Library that was published in book form in 1858, the 
fourth and last edition to be printed. 

17 



A few months after the establishment of our Society (the year 
itself was not ill chosen, 1853, for it was that of the conversion for 
the second time, after a long interval, of the town of Newport into a 
city) the Honorable Robert B. Cranston, ex-member of Congress, 
was installed on the one day as Mayor — he had private views on the 
matter — and voluntarily resigned on the next, when our already men- 
tioned member, Mr. Thomas R. Hunter, an alderman, became ex- 
ofBcio heir to that office until the month of October. Both the mem- 
bers by the name of Cranston — brothers — were public spirited, wise 
citizens, and did well for the town. One lived on Franklin street, 
the other in the old Cranston house on the Parade, lately displaced, 
with others, by the Army and Navy Y. M. C. A. A generous gift 
was left by Mr. Robert H. Cranston to the City of Newport, to "aid 
such poor as are too proud to beg." 

Mr. Benjamin Finch owned the Gov. John Collins house on 
School Street, and its pretty terraced garden across the way that has 
gone mto house lots. The old house has become Aquidneck In- 
dustries. Tall and venerable, Mr. Finch displayed beneath his be- 
nign countenance one of the last of the neat folded white neckerchiefs, 
seen in Trinity Church, of which he was a pillar. So was Mr. Samuel 
Engs, but he concealed himself in one of the " stall pews '' at the very 
foot, under the organ loft, until time to emerge and '' carry the 
plate." How novel was the jingle of silver after the long silence of 
paper " shin plasters " during the Rebellion. Mr. Engs' house on 
Kay Street is yet owned by his daughters. 

Mr. Thomas Ridell came from New Bedford. His widow and a 
granddaughter lived in a sizeable, neat cottage next south of the 
Reading Room. After Mrs. Ridell's death, it was altered and modern- 
ized by the purchasers, and has only lately been removed for a block 
of stores. In settling the Ridell estate, a three days auction was 
held on the grass in front of the cottage. Never before had such a 
sale occurred here, and never since do I recall such a wealth of porce- 
lains, furniture and the like, as were spread forth. There have been 
many larger auctions, none more "rare." 

Messrs. Francis and Edward Lawton, the sons of Lieutenant 
Governor Lawton, brought up on the Parade, Lad for many years 
their respective stores on Thames Street the leading dry goods em- 
poriums of Newport. Mr. Frank Lawton could look at a ribbon, go 
to New York, and a week later bring back another of the exact shade. 
He was proverbially refined in the choice of all his goods, and his cus- 
tom extended from New Orleans to Maine. My own best pleasure 
was to dive my little arms into a great packing box, once or twice a 

18 



year filled with bits of bright calicos sold very cheap, "by the pound.'' 
Doll's dresses, patch-work quilts, pinafores, lots of nice things grew 
out of that box every year. 

The Messrs. Cozzens were also leading citizens — Mr. William C. 
being one of the Mayors of Newport— merchants, their large store in 
line with those of Mr. Francis Lawton and the Messrs. Gould on the 
east side of the Main Street. The Boston Store of to-day originated 
in one of these. The Cozzens family residence was a beautiful old 
house on upper Thames Street, with a fine, large, shady garden, ex- 
tending back to the old cove walk or path, and persons strolling along 
that tranquil way often paused to enjoy the fragrance of many bulbs 
and flowers sheltered behind a high panelled and paled fence with a 
pretty, fancy gate, all painted snowy white, and lined by flowering 
bushes. 

Mr. Benjamin Baker Howland (1787-1877), more commonly 
called Mr. B. B. Howland, was our first Librarian, and twenty-five 
years earlier, had been elected "Librarian and Cabinet Keeper of the 
Southern District" of the Rhode Island Historical Society. He was 
the Town Clerk of Newport for the not inconsiderable period of fifty 
years. His modesty was so great that he refused to permit the Rev. 
Arthur A. Ross to acknowledge publicly his share in the compilation 
of that second centennial sermon, but the old files of the Mercury 
show how seriously he did his part in establishing facts about New- 
port. Unhappily, I have no particular list at hand of his writings, yet 
have found, beside many others, extensive articles on the old streets, 
on the Stone Mill, and on Captain Cook's ship, the Endeavor, (this 
last item printed about the middle thirties) that went to pieces, or was 
rather torn apart; teak and copper bolted, just abaft Captain Stephen 
Cahoone's house at his wharf in the rear of Mr. Albert Sherman's 
father's house and store on Thames Street (No. 397). 

And next door to Mr. Albert Sherman's father's house, lived that 
stout hero of Lake Erie, Captain William Vigneron Taylor, United 
States Navy, whose name is the only one in our lists to be given a 
title. He was of herculean strength, there are stories to prove it. 
Years afterward, that old Colonial house, now KauU's Market, No. 
393 Thames Street, became the home of Colonel William Gilpin, who 
married Mrs. Saunders, daughter to Captain Taylor. Colonel Gilpin 
(whose father's album of masterly water color sketches of this Island 
done about 1814 is now in our joyful possession. Colonel Gilpin lived to 
be eighty-seven, a quiet old gentleman, collecting and preserving relics 

Note 1915. The collections of Mr. B. B. Howland, mss., books, etc., 
have recently been presented to the Newport Historical Society. 

19 



of Newport. Unfortunately, in the end, all these were scattered by a 
hasty ill-advertised auction after his death, and the original Commu- 
nion-table of Trinity Church, the books of the Marine Society and the 
like passed — only the four winds can say whither. His collection of 
early Newport play bills, etc., is in this building. 

Mrs. Gilpin was one of the first five women members admitted to 
the Newport Historical Society. Brought into it, is perhaps a better 
term, none of them knew their names were suggested until after their 
election in i88r. She took lively part with her husband in the search 
for antiquities and was filled with good works, charitable and thought- 
ful in the extreme. The union of this couple occurred quite late in 
life, they had both been married when young and both bereft of their 
"partners" shortly after. In Mrs. Saunders' case the death of her 
husband was a lamentable tragedy. He was a young officer in the 
coast survey, and off Charleston bar, the little vessel foundered in a 
squall in full sight of a window of the hotel from whence his little 
bride witnessed it. 

George H. Calvert, Esq., Mayor of Newport after ex-oflficio 
Mayor Hunter from October, 1853 to June, 1854 (we had three mayors 
in the one year — 1853) literateur, student in Germany, visitor to 
Goethe, a distinction somewhat marred now that modern cynics say 
that "Gerty was rather a dirty old fat man, wrapped in a dressing 
gown." Perish the thought, he stands fixed before us in Kaulbacks 
painting, laurel crowned, on the platform before the admiring 
reverential Court of Weimar. Do let us keep some impressions to 
venerate! No one ever saw Mr. Calvert en dishabille. He sat by 
the fire in that study at the far south end of the big hall, and if you 
want to see his lofty bookcases, they are gifts to this very society. 
He, too, received many of the choice spirits who came to Newport 
seeking, not so much fashion, as cultured enjoyment and repose. He 
planted his trees, nursed the first Magnolia glauca in Newport in the 
southern shelter of his house. He descended from Rubens, no fiction, 
fact, and inherited one of his works, two florid babies, Romulus and 
Remus, the grateful acknowledgment to his father of a kinsman in 
Holland, who shipped all his collection to Baltimore for temporary 
safe keeping during the Napoleonic wars. He prized General 
Washington's telescope; and among other little volumes, he wrote 
"The Gentleman" and uttered a good oration on the Battle of Lake 
Erie. In advanced life stalking to the Redwood Library, enveloped 
in a flapping cape and certainly looking something like the Artist 
Reuben himself in that slouch hat, the slender old gentleman's eyes 
had a wistful dreamy glance. What if spirits did not hover and rap 

20 



tables near him, he thought they did, and with him it was more a 
poetic fancy than the harmful gross monomania that it became to 
ordinary minds. As a poet he is forgotten; as the gentleman he will 
be remembered while breath lasts in his friends. Pretty tiny Mrs. 
Calvert, her flowing sleeves, lace ruffles, and black velvet wrist bands. 
Do not all remember her long cheerful drawing room, next to the 
library. Rarely alone, the popular little lady was sought almost daily 
by some of the large circle of her friends, and with well concealed 
tact she sent the choice few to the inner circle amid the books. She 
outlived Mr. Calvert, and on one of our last visits informed my mother 
that she was just beginning to read "Leaky" — is iti* — "on the Bible,'' 
a large work in several heavy volumes, "But," she beamed "I do so 
enjoy it!" 

Across the aisle from our pew in Trinity, sat Mr. Wm. Beach 
Lawrence and his family. Mr. Lawrence was of severe aspect, and 
during the sermon apt to support his chin by one hand, cross his 
other arm — rather twist up his legs and be apparently remote in the 
corner of the pew, under the old hat rack on the wall. That was his 
habitual seat. His features were strong, his hirsute adornment of dark 
brownish grey — sufficient but not plenty. He appeared to be involved 
in deep thought, yet rarely looked at the parson, although sometimes 
on rising he sternly regarded the choir. The one and only time I re- 
member his speaking to me was at a costume party given by his 
daughter, Miss Lawrence, after I grew up, and then I discovered what 
report said, that no one was more genial and agreeable a host. 

The guests stroiled through the rooms of the library. There 
were no doors, the side spaces of the entrances were, that night, clad 
in Christmas greens, and everywhere else, books to the ceiling. In 
the drawing rooms — dancing; the supper table too was impressive, 
large, gleaming with lights and covered by massive plate. Through 
some of the windows, over snow clad, barren Ochre Point, with 
its sparce clump of ragged firs was seen the Atlantic Ocean all black 
and silent. Owing to his reputed political opinions, just at the time 
of the Rebellion, Mr. Lawrence was not popular — but none impugned 
the quality of his professional work and writings on intricate topics of 
international law. 

Dr. Theophilus C. Dunn, born in 1800 — jovial, delightful. Dr. 
Dunn, coming into a sick room like a ray of sunshine! One of my 
father's best friends, and often in our house. Do I not remember the 
mumps and the " Breakbone fever " with gratitude. " Pain endureth,'' 
&c. If it had not been for those episodes I might never have known 
how Dr. Dunn, when at college in Philadelphia, about the year 1820, 

21 



went so often to that adored temple of art — it was a pretty cold and 
cheerless temple too, it later killed Rachel — the Walnut St. Theatre 
— and how he sawJ;Edmund Kean ? And if he did not see Cooper, the 
greatest actor, George Frederic Cooke (whose skull was for some 
years in Newport — Dr. Mott Francis ot this Society had it from his 
father) — and Charles Matthews, senior, at least he talked much about 
them. How the students cheered Mr. Kean at the stage entrance on 
Ninth St., and they all had not money to get into the top gallery, and 
how the memory of that marvelous acting had kept green with Dr. 
Dunn all his life. My mother agreed with him. She, too, when a 
child in London before 1832, had seen Kean as Richard III. I won- 
der what they would have said to remarks lately printed about Kean 
in high society in London— into which he hated to be forced— "a little 
man with a mild but marked countenance, and eyes as brilliant as on 
the stage, knitting his brow when he could not exactly make out what 
was said and a little too frequent with ladyships " and "lardships " and 
eating peas with his knife." Well, as to peas — if high society in the 
twenties did not employ that method, their parents had — for round 
ended " pea shovelers " were used by the best people — certainly into 
that century. Most of us older people can remember in America half 
a century ago, a few such old knives relegated to other uses in pantry 
and kitchen. 

My mother asked Dr. Dunn if he had ever had adventures in 
peregrinations about Newport. " Only once,'' was the answer. " On 
a slushy cold stormy night in King St., I stumbled over something 
soft and warm — and as it rose beneath me, I found myself astride of 
a cow." 

Dr. and Mrs. Dunn lived in the great brick town house of God- 
frey Malbone. It had been purchased by Mrs. Dunn's father, Captain 
Robinson Potter, and now as " Cottrell's block," is doomed to final 
destruction. In the time of Mrs. Dunn the drawing rooms were hung 
with old hand painted papers — one a stag hunt — the other, the battle 
of the Nile. Dr. Dunn had a taste for literature and was a sincere, bluff 
Christian of English blood — although his own father and family were 
" dissenters " he frequented Trinity. In England about forty years 
ago I was taken to visit two delightful typical old maiden ladies, the 
Misses Puddicombe, living in a pretty stone bouse — much like that in 
Newport on the corner of Bellevue and Narragansett avenues. They 
asked me many questions of their near kinsman. Dr. Dunn — who had 
died shortly before. They lived not far from Bovey Tracy in Devon- 
shire, a country now popular from Hardy's novels, and the ancestral 
home of Dr. Dunn. It lies to the south of Dartmoor. 

22 



Sometimes General J. Alfred Hazard, ridmg a fine horse, passed 
us on our walks. My father took us to the Lily Pond for a picnic and 
fishing excursion. Whether General Hazard thought us marauders 
or came upon us by accident is doubtful — that place was much fre- 
quented by outsiders on pleasure bent— but he suddenly appeared 
among us at the beautiful north end of the pond. There were no ugly 
ice-houses then, nothing but wild rose and blackberry vines, golden- 
rod, grass and high rocks. Greeting my father in most friendly fashion 
he invited us all to visit his sheep cots. Rocky Farm — is so called on 
some of the most ancient records, but the old farm-house, in part still 
there, had been remodeled by General Hazard or his father, and the 
stone walls of the sheep cots were undoubtedly built by the son, al- 
though, I am told, probably out of the old stone material at hand. 
He had just expended large sums on his inherited property. The roof 
of the sheep cot we entered was low. General Hazard was tall and 
very handsome, a luxuriant chestnut beard and thick curly locks. He 
wore a Peacedale shawl twined about him, shepherd fashion. Many 
sheep huddled at his knee, and flights of barn swallows skimmed back 
and forth to their nests in the rafters. I have never forgotten the 
scene nor the placid blue waters of the pond filled with reflections 
spangled with lily pads, the many perch we caught and the tiny spot- 
ted turtle that we brought home in triumph to our nursery. 

It is very provoking, although we have religion, agriculture, law, 
literature, mercantile pursuits, navy and politics as well as persons of 
leisure ; none of those delightful old sea captains, trotting about the 
streets with their ivory-headed canes — relics of Leviathans conquered 
by man — high stove pipe hats and long frock coats — or cosily yarning 
of by-gone wonders near old firesides, appear in our lists. And yet 
there were survivors here of that race now totally extinct in the mod- 
ern conditions of sea life. The best we can do to include them is as 
fathers of some of our members, the Messrs. Steven and John D. Nor- 
tham, for example — and others. Whaling and the merchant service 
made much prosperity for Newport. 

Mr. Isaac Peace Hazard, one of the five brothers, so well known 
in this State, also occasionally wore one of those shepherd plaid 
shawls hanging loosely from his shoulders. They were woven in his 
brother's mill at Peacedale, Rhode Island, and if any one is curious, 
let him hunt up the magazine showing Mr. Lincoln wearing such a 
shawl. Mr. Hazard, over at the mills today sends me word that he 
//z/w/^j- Mr. Lincoln's may perhaps have come from his grandfather's 
looms, and I am sure I was told so at the time, fifty years ago, by Mr. 
Joseph Peace Hazard, and we have always said that my father's shawl 

23 



that I have to this day was the ditto of the one sent to Mr. Lincoln ! 

Visiting Miss Mary Hazard in her ancestral home, the Wanton 
house, No. 17 Broad Street, its last inhabitant, she held up a photo- 
graph of her long-lived cousin Isaac remarking emphatically. "I am 
glad you remember him ! He was a handsome man, Cousin Isaac — 
and better than that, he was a good man — ■Bi good man." 

Of the Society of Friends, highly educated and cultured by travel 
in America and abroad, Mr. Hazard lived, a man of leisure, quietly 
but all his friends were the better for knowing him. His last years, 
some what enfeebled by illness, were spent in tranquility with his sis- 
ter, Miss Anna, on Kay Street, almost across from their friends, Mr, 
and Mrs. Calvert. This branch of the great Hazard family of Rhode 
Island, through their mother, Miss Peace, was connected with Bar- 
badoes and Philadelphia. I saw them so frequently in both the 
American cities that it would take a whole afternoon to tell about 
them, and the tale would begin with the venerable Mrs. Hazard, their 
mother. 

Mr. Samuel Brown, a bachelor of substance — not girth — the be- 
loved nephew of ancient maiden aunts, with whom he continued to 
make his home after the death of his mother, in what is now No. 39 
Clarke Street, came much to see my father on the Parade, and occa- 
sionally after we removed to the greater distance of Bowery Street. 
Was he not a surveyor or something like that } He and Mr. Charles 
Hammett stood about with a tripod and strings or chains or some- 
thing before Mr. Andrew Robeson, Jr., and my father could put up a 
high board fence nail-spiked along the top in place of that nice crum. 
bly old stone wall full of briars, on our mutual boundary line. Mr. 
Brown wore pepper and salt clothes and looked out upon the world 
from beneath shaggy iron-grey eyebrows. In after days he haunted 
the window of the dear old Union Bank and from that comfortable 
corner, tilting back in his chair he surveyed the passers-by and held 
conversation with a chosen few of those who entered. It was really 
quite like his reception room and his dry humor free from malice was 
quoted by his hearers when they came home to their dinner. 

After we moved Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Robeson, Jr., were our 
next door neighbors — their house, a good deal enlarged, is still on the 
corner of Bellevue Avenue and Bowery Street ; they had three happy 
children. Those nailspikes on the fence were soon battered down. 
Mrs. Robeson was the daughter of Mr. Zachariah Allen of Providence, 
whose historical writings are known to all, including the account of 
General La Fayette's visit in 1824. When Mr. Robeson buijt his fine 
new house, of course he put in a library, but do you know, though his 

24 



books were perfectly beautiful, lovely green, red and russet leather 
backed, and beautiful gold letters and splashes, there was just one 
place where they were only little bits of tin covered to look like backs 
of books. But it was only because that closet door was where it would 
spoil the con — tin— mty of the shelves. Grown up people said that 
big word when stupid strangers, who did not know Mr. Robeson, 
laughed just because they were ignorant — not he. He was full of 
fun, frank and sincere, and so popular after he came down from those 
mills in Fall River to build such a beautiful home here, and then, of 
course, Newport fashion, they all went off to Europe for a good long 
time, but when they came back, they lived happily and contentedly 
here until 1864, and then in Boston and Tiverton until after Mr. Robe- 
son died very suddenly one bright summer day in the '70ties. One 
of his daughters is the wife of Professor Charles S. Sargent of Brook- 
line. The other, soon widowed, married into the Thayer family of 
Boston, and the son married, and died some time since. 

My father, Samuel Powel of Philadelphia, was brought to New- 
port by his parents in 1832, a boy of fourteen, and by slow degrees 
from being only his summer abiding place, this lovely old town be- 
came his permanent residence, and he loved it very much, although 
he never lost touch with Philadelphia, always except for a few years, 
owning a house and frequently returning there for longer or shorter 
visits. 

Being his daughter, I should perhaps omit his name — it is on one 
of the earliest lists, of the Newport Historical Society, were it not to 
say that his own knowledge and regard for things ancient and his 
desire to train his children in such matters made us his constant 
companions on his walks, both here and in Philadelphia, drew us into 
ear-shot of his friends discussing old times and, rather to the detriment 
of my lessons, carried me to listen to Edward Everett lecture on 
General Washington, to witness many fine historical plays, to see the 
handiwork of Benjamin West, Stuart and other great artists, and in 
fact opened many ancient doors, both public and private, to our 
wondering eyes. 

Another member was Mr. George Bowen of the Society of 
Friends who kept old time surroundings in his office on Bowen's 
Wharf and where the present continuers of his business, show the 
same consideration. It proves that Mr. Bowen was acceptible to our 
society and if anyone wants to know how the merchants of colonial 
days fitted their office and warehouses, it is suggested to go and beg 
admission into that gem of the past. 

Mr. S. S. Slocum was later Mayor of Newport, but at the time 

25 



of the founding of the Historical I do not remember him. He must 
have been then quite a young man. 

Mr. Marshall Slocum who lived next door to the Misses Hazard 
on Kay Street was also a pillar of Trinity. After his death his house 
was purchased by Mr. Alfred Smith and given to the Unitarian 
Church for its parsonage as a memorial to Mrs. Smith. 

In revising these brief statements I have been loaned a scrap 
book compiled by "Lydia Ann Gould." It contains many articles 
about Newport worthies and includes obituaries of Mr. David Gould — 
that speak of him as a rounded character, just and upright. A list of 
his friends, frequenters and customers gives many of our founders 
and four were among the bearers at his funeral in his excellent old 
home on Broad Street, now fallen in the cause of modern improve- 
ments. Both the Messrs. Gould were portly Quakers, beautifully 
clad in Friends garb as worn in Rhode Island, and bearing on their 
business card — the firm endured much over a century in the same 
place on Thames Street — the statement that their house had made a 
uniform for General Nathaniel Greene of Revolutionary fame. (The 
General occupied, for two years after the Revolutionary War Mr. 
Garrettson's present property on Mill Street.) The Messrs. Gould 
were equally men of information. One of them being quoted as able 
to answer almost anything one questioned. On the occasion of the 
"Reunion of the Sons and Daughters of Newport in 1859," in a 
window of the store of the Messrs. Gould was shown a flag inscribed 
"Rhode Island colony flag, received from England by Gov. Arnold 
1663, used until the evacuation of the English, [779." 

The family of Gould also owned many other remarkable inheri- 
tances, includmg some examples of an astounding pottery that had 
been expermanentally produced in their back yard on Broad Street. 

' E. R. Potter of Providence" stands for Judge Ehsha R. Potter of 
Little Rest on the Hill— also known as the Town of Kingston over 
across in the Narragan5:ett country. He was of medium stature, 
very dark — black hair and brilliant black eyes, mobile well cut features 
and a quiet positive manner. Admired for his courtesy, shrewd 
intellect, sound judgment and upright character. A slight attack of 
a fever prevalent in Newport in August, 1863, developed in me just 
as I was taken to Kingston the next month, where my parents were pass, 
ing the season. It was the more easily endured under the softening 
influences of big bunches of greenhouse grapes and lots of books 
that were sent to me every few days by the Judge and his thoughtful 
sister Miss Mary Potter — who so long kept up the old family mansion 
just off the Mam Street of the village. And up and down that Main 

26 



Street— quite treeless then, now overarched, I used to see pacing with 
stately tread — the venerable "Squire Updike" — with his daughter, or 
sister perhaps, Miss Anstis Updike. If not a founder, surely as an 
Honorary Member, I am at liberty to mention the author of "The 
Church in Narragansett," and to add that a few years ago I saw a 
good oil portrait of the old gentleman in the house of his grand- 
daughter Mrs. Hunt in Kingston. 

A small cottage to the south of Hilltop house and within the 
same grounds was approached by curved foot path from a gate on 
Church Street. There were plenty of smoke and burning bushes, 
sweet shrub and the like, also an ivy-clad stump footed by yellow- 
blossoming 'money,' and some quite sizeable trees. On passing the 
little front door, you entered directly into a tiny oblong room and 
faced a mantle piece. To the right and left were two other small 
rooms. In that on the right, one on each side of the fire-place, sat 
Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder, like a pair of ancient porcelain figures. The 
room was well furnished and had a good aubuisson carpet. Mrs. 
Schroeder's rather strong features shone within a bonnet-like cap of 
fine net, well ruched on the sides, and her silk dress rustled nicely. 
Her black lace mittened hands were extended with hearty greeting 
uttered in rather a d^ep voice, while Mr. Schroeder, a trifle rheumatic, 
rose more slowly from his chair. Their son was Mr. F'rancis Schroeder, 
associated with the celebrated Dr. Cogswell, and afterwards I believe, 
himself. Senior Librarian of the Astor. Naturally the conversation 
tended to books, and not gossip, for his parents were persons of cul- 
ture. Their home has long been removed and become the lower front 
portion of the Hypothenuse now inherited by Miss Waring. 

Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder's beautiful daughter had married Mr. 
Francis Gilliat, an Englishman of standing, and had died, leaving him 
a large family. As he, too, is one of our founders, we may recall that 
Miss Grace Gilliat is now living in Newport. Mr. Gilliat was very de- 
vout. While here he owned Hilltop House, and after removing to 
Pomfret, when well on in middle life, was ordained a clergyman of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church. The Congregation at Trinity was 
much excited one Sunday morning, to see their old friend's well 
known face, appear unexpectedly above the Reading Desk. "Mr. 
Gilliat !" they whispered, although we children were always told never 
to whisper in church! 

There walked daily from his residence opposite the Stone Mill, 
his own field and property until sold to the town, to and from the 
Newport Reading Room, a sturdy rather portly elderly gentleman 
whose genial face was filled with family characteristics— Governor 

27 



William Channing Gibbs (1788-1871) a son of that high minded, open 
handed citizen of the century before, the merchant prince of Newport, 
Mr. George Gibbs. The generations of the Gibbs family do not vary ; 
they are just links in a chain — all the same fine natures. 

Governor Gibbs, a broad-minded christian, devoted to his kins- 
man. Dr. Chaning, but himself a pillar of Trinity Church, gave a col- 
lection of Works on Military Art to the Redv^ood Library, now un- 
obtainable in market, then old and valuable. Senior officers from the 
War College and Forts pore over them. His house had open door on 
Election Day, and throngs of his friends gathered beneath the Stuart 
portraits and talked of other days — and of the Dorr War, in which the 
good old governor had taken part. Why do we not talk of the Dorr 
War now ? It teaches good lessons, that capital 'History' in the Red- 
wood, not to speak of the rather feeble 'Life of Dorr' himself, poor de- 
luded man. So popular was Governor Gibbs, that the very dogs 
would follow him in the streets, and it is whispered that he occasion- 
ally caused them to be fed. But there was so much dignity in the 
keen eye of the aged gentleman that even the dogs approached him 
respectfully. There is a funeral sermon by Dr. Dehon, on Governor 
Gibbs' father in 1803, ^"d there is no better description written than 
it gives by chance of the late Major Theodore K. Gibbs, U. S. A. 
Governor Gibbs was a fitting link between the two, the merchant and 
the soldier. 

The four sons of Dr. David King senior figure in these first lists 
of the Historical Society. The eldest, the Hon. George Gordon King, 
Member of Congress in the '40ties, deeply saddened by the loss of 
his young wife and her child, spent the remainder of his life in studious 
retirement, always the friend of his friends, but never seeking society; 
continually adding to that fine library and large collection of now 
unobtainable engravings, that became the legacy of his nephew the 
present Mr. George Gordon King, and that has lately been removed 
from the colonial acres of his family in Bowery Street to Mr. King's 
new cottage. Two others, Messrs. Edward and William Henry King 
were prosperous China merchants, and I have purposely left Dr. 
David King to the end of this gossip of "Sixty years ago." The 
Admiral always goes last in the boat, although very properly he 
stands first on the charter list, and he is said to have first instigated 
our formation. He was certainly elected its first President. Never 
w.as any one more kind, more sage, more willing to assist others, in 
their studies of old Newport, even a shallow ignorant young girl. 
Beloved physician, profound thinker, and analyzer of history. Mr. 
William P. Sheffield declared that Dr. King "knew more of Newport 

28 



than any man who survived him ." Public generosity is a marked custom 
of his race, and he too upheld it. 

For his numberless books, four rooms in his home on the corner of 
Bellevue Avenue and Catharine Street were shelved to the ceiling— fine 
brown tree calf and old gold folios down to the infinitesimal trifles of 
other days. Hooks in marbled papers, they of all sizes, fat sides, ragged 
edges, wide margins, clear type, red capitals, and engravings tied in 
by vellum thongs as well as binders threads, American books, old and 
new, others in many tongues some good modern literature, and plenty 
of poets. Above stairs, other rooms more than less book-filled and 
certain halls and passage ways far from empty. One room on the 
third floor looked like a closet, for it was brim full to the door, solid 
with books; (Miss Tilley has catalogues in part of this library, and 
also of the prints of his brother.) Finally Dr. King succumbed to 
the encroachments of a large grown-up family, and one after another 
filled a cottage and the old family residence on Pelham Street, with 
his books, pamphlets and very old newspapers. Documents he had 
too in plenty, but he was no mere greedy acquirer, he knew and he loved 
his treasures. Always very busy, an extensive annual practise, his 
professional standing very high — many came from far, to consult him 
in addition to his summer patients — he yet found time — or made it, 
to carry on his passion for the history of this country in general, and 
that of Rhode Island in particular, to collect his books and to become 
one of the famed Americanists of his day. He had such happy 
exactness that any statement emanating from Dr. King's lips or pen, 
may be set down as proved by facts, as known in his day. Very 
retirmg by nature, modest to extreme, once on the lecture platform 
he forgot his reluctance and a flood of eloquence poured from his 
lips. That he knew Rome and Greece thoroughly, was proved by the 
pure English of his style. What Dr. King had to say he made terse, 
picturesque and convincing in fluent eloquence. He captivated a 
young listener while those of his own years lingered to ask more light 
on the new questions that he had patiently garnered from old time 
threshed straw. Defender of William Coddington, and occupied both 
here and in England in research connected with Coddington's justifi- 
cation, and with the origin of the old Stone Mill. Hunting through 
the baskets of the book vendors on the quays of the Seine in Paris, 
bringing home good trouvailles of the French in America, one of the 
favored few with entree behind the scenes in the British Museum, 
the several sojourns of Dr. King in Europe, were no strolls of idleness, 
but periods of hard study and excellent realization, including, too, 
much professional advancement. 

29 



Many able brains of America and Europe either wrote to Dr. 
King or rang the bright silver bell-handle of his rose-embowered 
front door. 

In his wife, this wise gentleman found indeed a help-mate. Her 
own strong intelligence, woven into true gold by her deep broad 
woman's heart, ripened into a life that cannot have been duplicated, 
very often, by others. She was the associate of her husband, and 
having enjoyed better educational advantages than most women of her 
day, under the guidance of her father, the Rev. Dr. Wheaton, was 
well able to assist Dr. King in his intellectual tastes and pursuits. In 
these modern days we do not often find Newport houses where so 
much true culture is the daily life, and he whose name heads our 
Charter, our first president. Dr. David Kmg, deserves these honors. 



EPILOGUE. 

Now having exhausted your patience and outrun my given time, 
I must trespass upon you a moment longer, for, although there are 
still many founders unmentioned, there is also one more recent mem- 
ber and officer, who only came into the society thirty-five years ago, 
and whose name justice compels me to utter, Mr. R. Hammett Tilley. 

Not sixty but fifty years ago we were in the agonies of a hideous 
war. Those of us who go back to the Rebellion know its bitterness. 
Newport at that time sent many to the front, possibly some of our 
founders, certainly many of their sons. Some there were, who would 
gladly have shouldered their knapsacks and guns, no one held back 
because sword was not held out to him, but there were some brave 
souls who from various causes, frequently physical, could not go into 
the field. Of these last Mr. Benjamin James Tilley, father of Mr. 
Hammett Tilley was one, for he was lame. .Still heart and soul that 
patriot fought the good fight. When Portsmouth Grove Hospital was 
opened there was much confusion, and as we look back now, the mira- 
cle is that in any of those war hospitals any one lived. Mr. Benjamm 
Tilley spent many days each week working heroically with the sick 
and dying; of course he was not the only one — nor were the cases at 
the grove always the worst, for many of those died before they could 
be brought to the North. But Mr. Tilley was one of the leaders in 
this pitiful work, in close raport with members of the Sanitary Com- 
mission, and so great was the strain of his exertions, that he actually 
shortened his life, dying worn out in 1866, one year after the close of 
the grove hospital. I hope that there is some full record of what he 
did. 

30 



His son, a little lad of fourteen, and Mr. Clarke, (later the father 
of ex-Mayor Clarke), then barely grown up himself, carried on, as best 
they could, the business of Mr.Tilley, both before and after his death. 
(It is continued today in the hands of the Honorable Wm. P. Clarke). 
Mr. Hammett Tilley became a member of the Newport Historical So- 
ciety in 1879, and its Librarian in 1884 — when the society was estab- 
lished in this old church then on l^arney Street. So absorbed was 
this very young man in the occupation he assumed, that it was prac- 
tically the work of his whole life. Genealogy was to him perhaps the 
most attractive brands of historical research, but he was of such ex- 
cellent memory that before long he ranked in the list of those in 
America from whom it was possible to receive facts unmixed with 
fancy, faithfully set down. To tradition, however, Mr. Tilley gave 
fair consideration, always so carefully indicated as such that there 
could be no misleading. His unfailing kindly interest, his self-denial 
and his generosity we have all felt ; his unfiaging zeal, absolute 
modesty, and lack of egotism rounded by the polish of his manner 
made him a man of note. 

Nor was Mr. Tilley, busily assorting the dusty fragments of 
antiquity, bringing order out of chaos, entirely alone in his vocation. 
There was a little daughter who came with him to this old church — a 
warm hearted little thing, her dollies tucked under her arm and 
bestowed for the day in any convenient corner where the child played 
quietly through the long hours that her father worked by himself, 
until she too began to learn and to help him. 

Mr. Tilley's "magazine" and some other contributions to the 
history of Newport are fortunately accessible, but the bulk of his work 
has gone broad cast over the country, for his pen was perpetually busy 
in response to letters from every — as well as from no-where little 
town in the then "far-west" — where a homesick son of Newport was 
trying to accumulate facts for his posterity. Letters from foreign 
societies and the like. One steady interruption of letters and visitors. 
It is not only Newport, but much outside of Newport that can bear 
tribute to Mr. Tilley's knowledge and accuracy. He died in harness; 
he never gave up; and with the hand of death cold upon him, worked 
up to the very end. Good son of a worthy sire. 

Peace to their a.shes, but not farewell — their works live after them 
in the safe hands of their dutiful child, a "Daughter of the Revolution," 
and our young librarian — Miss Tilley. 



31 



SOCIETY NOTES 



Erratum, January Bulletin, page 
10. Colonel Benjamin Church set 
out to kill King Philip from the 
farmhouse of Major Peleg Sanford 
on the east side of the Island, and 
not from Sanford's town house on 
Broad Street. See Church's In- 
dian Wars, Prince Society publica- 
tion. 

EDITORIAL 

The all absorbing topic of the 
day in our Society is the iniportant 
action taken at the meeting April 
9th, empowering the building com- 
mittee to begin the erection of our 
new fire-proof building. And we 
heartily congratulate the Society, 
for the interest manifested in its 
useful work, by the generous con- 
tributions, making this important 
progressive movement possib]e,and 
not less earnestly do we congratu- 
late the City of Newport, in hav- 
ing an institution which seeks to 
instruct its citizens in its remark- 
able history, and to preserve so 
many valuable records of its past. 

New Members 
Elected since last issue. 



Hon. Robert S. Burlingame 
Rev. Charles Russell Peck 



Hon. John B. Sullivan 
Mrs. Walter A. Wright 
Hon. Wm. MacLeod 



RECENT ACCESSIONS OF SPECIAL 
INTEREST ARE THE FOLLOWING 

Commerce of Rhode Island 
1726-1800. Vol. I. 1726-1774. 
Published by the Massachusetts 
Historical Society. Gift of Hon. 
George Peabody Wetmore. 

History of Brown University, 
1 764-1914. By Walter C. Bron- 
son. Lift. D. Gift of Brown 
University. 

Bibliography of Rhode Island 
Imprints. Published by Rhode 
Island Historical Society. 

Nathan Hale. 1776. Biography 
and Memorials. By Henry Phelps 
Johnston. Revised and Enlarged 
Edition. Gift of Yale University 
Library. 

"Our Naval Apprentice," later 
called "The Blue Jacket." New- 
port. Complete set 1901-1911. 
Gift of Mr. J. F. Buenzle. 



OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

For the year ending May^ 191 5 



President, HON. DANIEL B. FEARING 
First Vice-President, REV. RODERICK TERRY, D. D. 

Second Vice-President, MR. FRANK K. STURGIS 

Third Vice-President, MR. ALFRED TUCKERMAN 

Recording Secretary, MR. JOHN P. SANBORN 

Corresponding Secretary, MR. GEORGE H. RICHARDSON 

Treasurer, MR. HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. 

Librarian, MISS EDITH MAY TILLEY 

Curator of Coins and Medals, DR. EDWIN P. ROBINSON 

Board of Directors 
THE OFFICERS and 

FOR THREE YEARS 

MRS. HAROLD BROWN DR. WILLIAM S. SHERMAN 

MRS. RICHARD C. DERBY MR. JOB PECKHAM 

FOR TWO YEARS 

MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON MR. HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 

MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT MR. GEORGE L. RIVES 

FOR ONE YEAR 

MRS. WILLIAM R. MORGAN COL. C. L. F. ROBINSON 

MR. JONAS BERGNER REV. GEORGE V. DICKEY 



V • 



^^' BULLETIN 



OF THE 



Newport Historical Society 

Number Seventeen NEWPORT, R. I. July, 1915 



ANNUAL MEETING 



ADDRESS 



By 
Ex-President HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 



I hardly desire, Mr. President, in view of the exercises of laying 
the corner stone of our new building, which are still before us, to 
prolong this meeting by indulging in any extended discourse, but, as 
your predecessor in office, perhaps it may not be out of place to oflFer a 
few words of congratulatioii upon the advance the Society has made, 
not alone since its beginning, but especially during the last few years 

Organized, as most of you are aware, in 1853, by a few persons 
interested in Newport and its history, and proud of its traditions, who 
believed that this end of the State had sufficient of interest to be 
worthy of a separate Society, notwithstanding that the older institution 
located in Providence was then flourishing and well supported. Our 
Society held its meetings during the first few years of its existence at 
various places : in the upper room of No. 5 Engine Company's house 
on Touro Street, the Masonic Hall, and the State House, until in 1877 
it was allowed quarters in the Redwood Library, which it retained until 
1884, when it was found necessary to procure a permanent abiding 
place of its own, and the old Seventh Day Baptist Church on Barney 
Street, in itself the most interesting and valuable relic we posses.'^, was 
purchased. Some three years later the more eligible site, which we 
now have, was o')tained and the building removed. Perhaps the most 
active man in securing the old church, with encouraging words from 



the Hon. W. P. Shefifield and otliers, was Mr. J. M. K. Southwick, who 
was later one of our Vice Presidents, and too much credit cannot be 
given to him for his eflforts in negotiating for the property and raising 
the money for its purchase and restoration and fitting it up for the pur- 
poses and use of the iSociety. The Society kept growing under the 
fostering care of our indefatigable lil)rarian. Mr. R. H. Tilley, who gave 
some of the best years of his life to the institution and guided it into the 
paths which it has since so successfully followed, and still continues 
under his well-trained assistant, our present librarian. 

After the step forward in Js87, it was found, some years later, 
that our collections of books, manuscripts, records, newspapers and 
antiquities, were increasing much faster than our ability to care for 
them, and this, together with the desirability of separating the Library 
from the Museum proper, were matters which confronted the Directors, 
and although hampered by lack of funds, yet with confidence in the 
future, plans were drawn and the brick addition which now faces Touro 
Street was undertaken and completed ; and when we cmsider our 
condition in 1884, with but fifty dollars in our treasury, and compare 
it with our present state, with nearly eight thousand books and pam- 
lililets, and about thirteen thousand dollars in real estate, not counting 
the eighteen thousand dollar structure, the corner stone of which we 
are about to lay, and which has been made possible by the generosity of 
our fellow-member, Mr. Arthur Curtiss James, we certainly have 
cause for the utmost congratulation, and I feel sure that if Dr. King, 
Mason, Howland, Gould, Adlam, Dumont, Thayer and others, who were 
among the organizers of the Society, and Sheffield, Southwick, Brinley, 
Turner, Mauran, and their associates, who later took up the burden 
during their lives, could look down on us to-day, I think we may safely 
assert without any vain glory or egotism, that we, as their successors, 
have been as faithful to our trust in carrying on the task as those who 
preceded us. 

Of the work of the Society in general it is hardly necessary for me 
to speak at length, but one tning, however, I believe is worthy of espec- 
ial mention We know that it was a source of pain to our first j)resi- 
dent. Dr. King, that the old records, dating from the early days of the 
town, of great historical value, and affecting important ])roperty 
interests, were in such a dilapidated and uncared for condition, and 
tiiat the facilities at that time at the city clerk's office for their suitable 
care were so straitened and meagre, and that more could not be done to 
rescue and put them in proper shape for consultation and use. This 
matter also weighed upon the mind of Mr. Tilley, and the Society 
placed its services at the disposal of the civic authorities to arrange and 



care for the records, and not only the Society, but the city itself, Mr. 
President, was fortunate in having as chief executive no less a broad 
minded man than yourself, who made the necessary recommendations 
in your inaugural and used your influence to induce those who had the 
matter more directly in charge, to put into the keeping of the Society, 
the Town Council records and deeds previous to 1780, which had been 
submerged in Hell Gate, and the majority of which have now been 
carefully arranged and indexed ; and if the Society had done nothing 
else than what it has accomplished in regard to these papers, this would 
of itself ,be an ample justification for its existence. 

Of the use and importance of historical societies, it is hardly neces- 
sary for me to dwell before an audience like this. Their value can 
hardly be overestimated, being as they are depositories for records and 
relics of the past, and it is only by the history and experiences of for- 
mer years that we have more or less a guide for the future, and we be- 
lieve it is fitting that the records and deeds of all that relates to the 
worthies of the past should be studied and preserved, for, as Lord Bacon 
says, "Out of monuments, names, words, traditions, fragments of 
stones and the like, we do save and recover somewhat from the deluge 
of time." and it has been well said that a people without memories and 
memorials can have no true national life, a reverent attitude in respect 
to the past, the care of their relics and memorials are not mere matterg 
of sentiment, they spring from a sense of duty and public need, which 
is justified by every principle of civic virtue. Knowledge of the history 
and respect for the traditions and founders of any town by its people 
conduce to civic pride and a regard for established institutions. In a 
changing community like ours, Historical Societies for the collection and 
preservation of everything connected with its history, cannot but have a 
beneficial etfect in keeping alive the traditions of the early settlers and 
the memory of what they passed through in establishing the State and 
government, the preservation of which is now entrusted to their de- 
scendants. 

Although the Society has had great prosperity, yet it has been 
something of a disappointment to the officers, that our numbers have 
not increased more rapidly ; in a city of more than 25,000 inhabitants, 
a large number of whom are eligible to membership, our roll of all 
classes is less thanSOO. A membership of 2,500 would give us ample 
means to conduct our institution in a liberal manner, and we believe if 
time was taken to consider the value of our institution as a civic asset, 
the citizens would rally to its support. Think of the advantages it 
ofl'ers to its members for so small a sum ; a museum of rare and histori- 
cal relics, a library for study and research, open many hours a day for 



the members and their families, and as an educational factor for the 
growing generation its value is almost incalculable, and besides it offers 
its Bulletin four times a year, containing valuable papers and replete 
with historical facts. It is to be hoped that with the additional build- 
ing and increased facilities for usefulness, a wider interest may be 
awakened in our time honored and worthy institution. 



THE ANNUAL MEETING 

was held in the Senate Chamber of 
the old State House May 25th, the 
President in the chair. The follow- 
ing reports were read : 

Report of the Secretary 

Since the last annual report the 
Society has held four regular and 
two special meetings. The follow- 
ing addresses have been given : — 

May 29— "The Quakers in An- 
cient Newport," by Hon. Thomas 
W. Bicknell. of Providence, presi- 
dent of the Rhode Island Citizens' 
Historical Association. 

August 17 — " Newport Newspa- 
pers in the Eighteenth Century," by 
Mr. George Parker Winship, then 
librarian of the John Carter Brown 
Library, Providence. 

Nov. 23— "The Early Hebrews in 
Newport," by Hon. Max Levy, 
Newport. 

February 15 — " The Primacy of 
Newport and Portsmouth in the 
town governments of New England," 
by Hon. Thomas W. Bicknell. 

A social time has followed the 
business of each meeting, and an op- 
portunity has been given to exam- 
ine special exhibits. The following 



ladies have assisted in pouring tea : 
Mrs. Daniel B. Fearing, Mrs. Will- 
iam H, Birckhead, Mrs. French E. 
(;hadwick, Mrs. Arthur Curtiss 
James. Mrs. E. Hay ward Ferry and 
Mrs. Harold Brown. 

At each meeting, a detailed report 
has been read of the work of the 
librarian and her staff" and the li- 
brary and museum accessions. 

The chief items of business which 
have been transacted by society and 
directors are the votes in regard to 
the new building, etc. The reports 
of the building committee. Dr. Terry 
chairman, and the plans of the ar- 
chitect have been accepted and the 
committee authorized to proceed 
with the work 

Seventy-two members have been 
added this year. 

Nineteen members have deceased, 
as follows : — 

Mrs. Samuel Ames 
Mrs. Frank W. Andrews 
Mrs. Harriet Benson 
Mrs. William Binney 
Mr. John D. Champlin 
Mr. Joshua P. Clarke 
Mr Theodore M. Davis 
Mr. Robert Ives Gammell 
Mr. Simon Hart 
Mr. Dulaney Howland 



Mrs. S. E, Huntington 
Mr. De Lancey Kane 
Mr. Edward L. Ludlow 
Mr. Joseph P. Mumford 
Dr. George L. Peabody 
Rev. J. Sturgis Pearce 
Mr. Harry D. Spears 
Mrs. Pascal H . Stedman 
Mr. Alfred G. Vanderbilt 
Respectfully submitted, 
John P. Sanborn, 

Secretary , 



Report of the Treasurer 

General Fund 
Balance 1914, 
Rec'd from State of R. I. 
" City of New 
port, 
" " dividends 

" E. M. Tilley 
librarian, 



1.34 
500.00 

641.20 
223.94 

2,345.89 



$3,712.37 



PAID 

Salaries, librarian and as- 
sistants. 

Janitor, 

Interest, 

Life membership fund, 

Building fund, 

Account City of Newport, 

Telephone, 

Coal and gas. 

Postage for notices, 

Office expenses, printing, 
etc., 

Balance, 



Balance building fund, 



1,424.13 
324.00 
299.56 
150.00 
350.00 
641.20 

50.10 
155.93 

41.10 

260.08 
16.27 

;^3,712.37 
7,689.00 



King Book Fund 
1914 

Balance, $145.57 

Interest on mortgage, 100.00 

Dividend from Island Sav- 
ings Bank, 80.80 



PAID 

Books and manuscripts. 
Work on manuscripts, 
Balance, 



Items of the amount 
through Miss Tilley. 



$326.37 

$183.51 
95.03 

47.83 

$326.37 
received 



Gifts 




Mr. and Mrs. E. B. McLean $100.00 


Mrs. Wm. Watts Sherman 


175.00 


Mr. Alfred Tuckerman 


250.00 


Mr. F. K. Sturgis 


25.00 


Mrs. Vanderbilt 


25.00 


Mrs. French Vanderbilt 


25.00 


Mrs. David King 


25.00 


Mr. George L. Rives 


25.00 


Com. Arthur Curtiss .James 


25.00 


Mrs. Hugh Auchincloss 


25.00 


Mr. T. Suffern Tailer 


25.00 


Mr. William Gammell 


25.00 


Col. C. L. F. Robinson 


25.00 


Mr. Marsden J. Perry 


25.00 


Miss Ellen Mason 


25.00 


Mrs. Edward J. Berwind 


50.00 


Mr. Alfred Vanderbilt 


25.00 


Fete 


663.89 


Museum fees 


10.00 


Life memberships 




Mrs Daniel B. Fearing 


50.00 


Mr. Henry R. Taylor 


50.00 


Mrs. Nathaniel Thayer 


50.00 


Dues 


622.00 



$2,345.89 



Contributors to the Building 
Fund to July 17, 1915 



Mr. James A. Swan $25.00 

Dr. John J. Mason 25.00 

Mrs. Charles M. Bull 5.00 

Mrs. Walter N. Hill 5 00 

Miss Sophie P. Casey 1.00 

Miss Martha Codman 100.00 

Mr. M. A. McCormick 5.00 

Dr. Henry B. Jacobs 100.00 

Mr. Alfred Tuckerman 100.00 

A member 1,000.00 

Mr. Arnold Hague 50.00 

Mrs. T. A. Law ton 100.00 

Mrs. Josephs 10.00 

Mr. Job A. Peckham 25.00 

Madam Cortazzo 10.00 

Mr. Arthur B. Emmons 500.00 

Miss Anna F. Hunter 100.00 

Mrs. Hugh Auchincloss 200.00 

Mr. A. K. Sherman 10.00 

Mrs. Charles C. Gardiner 2.00 

Mr. Samuel McAdam 10.00 

Mr. T. T. Pitman 25.00 

Miss E. G. Sherman 5.00 

Prof. A. Marquand 25.00 

Dr. William C. Rives 50.00 

Miss Caroline Hazard 20.00 

Miss Georgiana G. King 100.00 

Mrs. Harriet Stevens 30.00 

Mr. William Gammell 100.00 

Mr. WilHam J. S. Caswell 1.00 

Rev. Dr. Roderick Terry 1,000.00 

Mr. J. J. Van Alen 200.00 

A member 250.00 

Mrs. French Vanderbilt 500.00 

Mr. H. A.C.Taylor 100 00 

Mr. George Henry Warren 50.00 
William Ellery Chapter D. 

A. R. 25.00 



Mr. J. K. Sullivan 
A member 
Mrs. Harold Brown 
Mrs. Theo. K. Gibbs 
Miss Maude L. Stevens 
Mr. Thomas S. Perry 
Mr. Robert S. Hayes 
Mrs. David King 
Mr. William G. Low, Jr. 
Mrs. Abbott Slade 
Mrs. T. Shaw Safe 
Hon. George P. Wetmore 
Miss Elizabeth H. Clark 
Hon. F. P. Garrettson 
Rear Admiral S. B. Luce 
Mrs. William Pepper 
Miss Edna H. Barger 
A New York member 
Mr. William Arthur Wing 
A member 

Mrs. R. Manson Smith 
Miss R. A. Grosvenor 
Mr. Guy Norman 
Mr. Robert Tilney 
Mrs. Livingston Hunt 
Mr. P. R. Hazard 
Miss Campbell Stewart 
Prof. R. Purapelly 
Miss Isabel C. Taber 
Mr. John Ireys 
Mr. Philip B. Case 
Dr. and Mrs, Estes 
Gen. J. Fred Pierson 
Miss Annie A. Sherman 
Mrs. Albert Tetlow 
Mrs. Charles A. Brackett 
Mr. William G. Caswell 
Miss Sallie Swan 
Miss Abbie Hazard 
Miss Henrietta Ellery 
Hon. Wm. P. Sheffield 
Mr. Ernst Voigt 



Rev. Stanley C. Hughes 


5.00 


Mrs. and Miss Chinn 


10.00 


Mrs. N. B. Smith 


5.00 


Mr. Hamilton B. Tompkins 


500.00 


Rear Admiral J. B. Mur- 




dock 


5.00 


Miss Jeannette Swasey 


1.00 


Miss Agnes Storer 


10.00 


Dr. Horatio R. Storer 


25.00 


Mr. John R. Caswell 


10.00 


Miss Elizabeth Betton 


1.00 


Miss Bessie Sherman 


1.00 


Mrs. B. B. H. Sherman 


2.00 


Miss Lucile R. Edgar 


10.00 


Mr. Arthur Easton 


5.00 


Mr. Thomas P. Peckham 


5.00 


Mr. & Mrs. L. L. Gillespie 


100.00 


Dr. Edwin P. Robinson 


5.00 


A member 


2.00 


Mrs. Wm. P. Clarke, Sr. 


2.00 


Mr. Edgar Richards 


10.00 


Mrs A. K. Sherman 


10.00 


Miss Mary A. Willard 


10.00 


Com. Elbridge T. Gerry 


100.00 


Mr. Frank K. Sturgis 


500 00 


Miss Vose 


1.00 


Mrs. Joseph Branston 


5.00 


Mr. Edward S. Peckham 


2.00 


Mr. Clark Burdick 


5.00 


Mr. Charles E. Morrison 


2.00 


Mr. J. K. McLennan 


1.00 


Mrs. Felix Peckham 


2.00 


Miss Antoinette S. Peckham 


2.00 


Mr. William S. Slocum 


5.00 


Mrs. Frank J. Sprague 


10.00 


Mrs. C. L. F. Robinson 


25.00 


Rev. Wm. S. Jones 


1.00 


Miss E. B. Waring 


1.00 


Rev. J. S. Kimber 


3.00 


Mrs. Thomas Dunn 


100.00 



PLEDGES 




Admiral and Mrs. F. E. 




Chadwick 


$10.00 


Col. George R. Fearing 


100.00 


Mr. T. B. Connolly 


5.00 


Sons of the Revolution in 




R. I. 


25.00 


Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Sanborn 


. 10.00 


Mr. Henry S. Wheeler 


2.00 


Rev. George V. Dickey 


5.00 


Mrs. R. H. Tilley and 




Miss Tilley 


10 00 


Staff of the Historical So- 




ciety 


5.00 


Dr. M. H. Sullivan 


2.00 


Mr. I. B. Bergman 


2.00 


Mr. W. E Brightman 


2.00 


Mrs H. J. Lockrow 


1.00 


Miss J. Austin Stevens 


5.00 


Mr. Thomas J. O'Neill 


10.00 


Fete proceeds July 18, 1914 


500.00 


Com. Arthur Curtiss James has 


pledged one-half the 


required 


amount. 





Report of Librarian 

The librarian respectfully pre- 
sents her fifth annual report to the 
officers and members of the New- 
port Historical Society. Detailed 
reports have been given at the quar- 
terly meetings. 

Eight hundred and seventy-one 
books and pamphlets have been 
added to the library, a gain of 123 
over last year's number. A collec- 
tion of books and manuscripts of 
special note is that once owned by 
our first librarian, Mr. Benjamin B. 



Howland, and presented to us by 
his granddaughter, Miss Elizabeth 
G. Sherman. 

Several hundred newspapers have 
been acquired, which help to com- 
plete our sets, and reference lists are 
being made of the early newspapers 
in the library and elsewhere in the 
city. Several volumes of old Mer- 
curies have been rebound and many 
issues inserted. 

The museum accessions have also 
been numerous, although, owing to 
the extremely crowded conditions, 
they have not been properly dis- 
played, and many visitors have been 
disappointed. For some time now, 
all the portraits and relics have been 
packed away, in preparation for 
moving the meeting house and erect- 
ing the addition to the present brick 
building. As there are over 1300 
articles in this collection, this was 
the work of several weeks, and was 
accomplished by the regular staff of 
the library. 

So many visitors have been unable 
to view the collections this year and 
so many more have come to talk 
over the improvements that it seems 
impossible to give an account, but 
the number is greatly in excess of 
last year's, and so is the number of 
readers and searchers. 

Six hundred and fifty-one letters 
have been received and 726 written 
— 118 more; than last year. These 
cover all parts'^of the country, and 
are every year becoming more nu- 
merous. 

Your librarian has tried this year 
to work especially upon the manu- 



scripts, and several collections of 
letters have been arranged in scrap 
books. Among them are : 

vols 
Ayrault letters 4 

Redwood letters 4 

Vernon letters 2 

Lopez letters 21 

These have already been used by 
many people, and several were 
quoted in the "Commerce of Rhode 
Island," 1726-1800— Mass. Histori- 
cal Society collections. Hon. Daniel 
B. Fearing, Dr. Roderick Terry, Mr. 
Allred Tuckerman, Mr. Job A. 
Peckham, and the heirs of Rev. Dr. 
Adlam have donated valuable manu- 
scripts. 

Work on the old town records is 
progressing, the appropriation being 
continued this year. Five volumes 
have been arranged and preserved 
since the last report. In order to 
make the subject matter in these 
books instantly available to the pub- 
lic, the wills and deeds in all bound 
volumes have been listed and the 
details required for the index are 
being slowly added. These lists, as 
well as the index, are in daily use. 

Our own general reference index 
is also increasing in numbers and in 
value to the searchers, and is also in 
daily use. 

Two things the librarian is espec- 
ially happy to report. The first : 
that the General Assembly of our 
state, largely through the efibrts of 
Hon. John P. Sanborn and Hon. 
Max Levy and some Providence 
friends, has recognized the value of 
our society by increasing the annual 
appropriation to SIOOO. 



8 



The other is the great fact that 
work on the improvements has be- 
gun, thanks to Com. Arthur Curtiss 
James and many others, and the 
dream of years seems about to be 
realized. 

Respectfully submitted, 
EDITH MAY TILLEY, 

Librarian. 



Building: Committee Report 

In the absence of the Chairman, 
Dr. Terry, the Secretary presents 
the following : 

The Building Committee has held 
four meetings since the last annual 
meeting of the Society. The plans 
drawn up by Miss Tilley and Mr. 
Bergner and put into shape by Mr. 
Joseph G. Stevens, 2d, architect, 
have been accepted, and Mr. Stevens 
has been engaged as the architect of 
proposed improvements. 

Seven firms had the privilege of 
giving estimates, and the contract 
was awarded to the lowest bidder, 
Mr. M. A. McCormick, according to 
the vote of the Society at a special 
meeting, April 9th. At this meeting 
also, your committee was authorized 
to proceed with the work when in 
its best judgment it was deemed safe 
and wise to do so. In accordance 
with this, the contract with Mr. 
McCormick was signed by the Chair- 
man and Secretary of the Commit- 
tee, April 16, and the work was 
started the following week. 

Your committee was instructed to 
send an appeal to the members and 
all who might be interested in the 



work, and in response to this and to 
the appeal sent some time ago, 
counting also part of the proceeds 
of the Fete last July, the sum of 
;^16,14s has been received in gifts 
and pledges. As the amount needed 
is estimated to be less than SI 9,000, 
the remaining sum to be raised is 
not discouraging. So far, just 100 
members have given or pledged to 
this fund, and it is hoped that the 
remaining 307 members will feel 
disposed to give at least one dollar, 
as it is the earnest wish of your 
committee to make the interest in 
the Society's building as wide-spread 
as possible. 

Respectfully submitted, 
EDITH MAY TILLEY, 
Secretary Building Committee. 



The officers were then elected for 
the coming year, and the following 
new members elected to the Society : 

Life members — H. A. C. Taylor 
and George Henry Warren ; annual 
members— Thomas L. S. Weaver, 
Thomas B. Connolly, Miss Helen 
Ellis, Rev. J. Andrew Jones, Mrs. 
R. Wallace Peckham, Miss Kather- 
ine Cortazzo, Edward A. Sherman, 
George B. Austin, James Powell 
Cozzens, Frank P. King; and asso- 
ciate members — Mrs. Mary Atkin- 
son, Miss Annie Vernon, Mrs. Jo- 
seph Perry, Miss Waring, Mrs. Rob- 
ert S. Hayes and Mrs. Joseph Brans- 
ton. 

The members then adjourned from 
the court house to the grounds on 
Touro street, where the cornerstone 



was laid. President Fearing was in 
charge of the ceremonies. 

The stone is at the southeast cor- 
ner of the building, and is Miltord 
granite. It was presented many 
years ago to the society by the late 
Dr. Henry E. Turner, and for 13 
years has been used as a doorstep at 
the buildings. About the stone were 
gathered those who were to take 
part, and the other members were 
grouped about them, the windows 
of the library being used by some to 
witness the ceremony from. 

Rev. George Vernon Dickey, a di- 
rector, opened the exercises with 
prayer, and Miss Tilley read the 
list of contents of the box. The 
foundation was then liberally spread 
with mortar by President Fearing, 
who handled the trowel like an ex- 
perienced mason, and then the stone 
was set. The box was placed within, 
and the addition of more mortar 
completed the work, over which Mr. 
Fearing said a few formal words. 
The benediction, pronounced by 
Rev. J. Andrew Jones, a newly 
elected member, the pastor of the 
First Baptist John Clarke Memorial 
Church, completed the ceremony. 

The list of contents of the corner 
stone was read by Miss Tilley, as 
follows : 

List of Articles Placed in the 
Cornerstone 

American flag, Rhode Island State 
flag, lists of officers, members and 
directors of the Newport Historical 
Society for 1914-15 ; seal of the soci- 
ety ; report of building committee. 



April 9, 1915, with names of com- 
mittee, and letter of Commodore Ar- 
thur (Jurtiss James ; list of contribu- 
tors to building fund ; membership 
invitation, Newport Historical So- 
ciety ; annual report of the secretary 
and the librarian, May 25, 1915. 

Publications of Newport Histori- 
cal Society — Bulletin No. 3. con- 
taining annual reports May 29, 
1914 ; Bulletin No. 16, containing 
article on 'Some of our founders 
sixty years ago' by Miss M. E 
Powel, a paper read before the soci- 
ety February 16, 1914 ; "OHver Haz- 
ard Perry and the War of 1812 in 
Newport ;" ''Historic Spots in New- 
port," a paper prepared by Miss E. M. 
Tilley ; Program of Indian and Pre- 
historic Exhibition and Lawn Fete 
held July 18, 1914, on the lawn of 
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence L. Gillespie; 
last issue of City of Newport docu- 
ments, 1913 ; bookplates of Newport 
Historical Society, Mrs. Thomas A. 
Lawton and Hon. Daniel B. Fearing. 

Copy of the Newport Herald, May 
25, 1915 ; photographs of the old 
Sabbatarian meetinghouse, pulpit, 
clock and exterior ; a corner of the 
museum ; staff of the Newport His- 
torical Society, and also William 
Ellery, the cat; picture of Mr. Ham- 
ilton B. Tompkins, ex-president ; 
picture of R. Hammett Tilley, 
deceased, librarian for 25 years; 
picture of Mr. George H. Richard- 
son, corresponding secretary ; paste- 
board representation of bricks sold 
for the benefit of the building fund ; 
year book of William Ellery Chap- 
ter, D. A. R., for 1914-1915; pro- 



gram of Philharmonic society ; Civic 
League Bulletin, May, 1915; Red- 
wood Library report, July 4, 1915 ; 
plans of the new building ; list 
of those working on the new build- 
ing, including Joseph G. Stevens, 
2nd, architect; M. A. McCormick, 



contractor; William H. Harris, con- 
tracting mason; Andrew Douglas, 
James Morris, Louis Tory, masons ; 
Tony Santo, Joe Ordito and P. Har- 
rison, laborers; a calendar for 1915. 
and a list of the contents of the box, 




THE PRESENT MEMBERSHIP OF THE SOCIETY 



LIFK MEMBERS 

Allen, John B. 
Allen, William 

American Jewish Historical So- 
ciety 
Auchincloss, Mrs. Hugh 
Batonyi, Aureil 
Belmont, August 
Belmont, Perry 
Bergner, Jonas 
BircKhead, Mrs. William 
Brown, Mrs. Harold 
Caswell, William J. S. 
Derby, Mrs. Richard C. 
Dunn, Thomas 
Fahnestock, Gibson 
Fearing, Hon. Daniel B. 
Fearing, Mrs. Daniel B. 
Gammell, William 
Gerry, Com. Elbridge T. 
Gibbs, Mrs. Theodore K. 
Goelet, Robert 
Greene, Charles H. 
Grosvenor, Miss Rosa A. 
James, Com. Arthur Curtiss 
King, George Gordon 
King, Mrs. David 
Lorillard, Louis L. 
Mc Adams, Samuel 
Marquand, Prof. Allen 
Marquand, Henry 
Mason, Miss Ellen 
Mason, Miss Ida 
McLean, Edward B. 
McLean, Mrs. Edward B. 



Moriarty, George Andrews, Jr. 
Peck, Hon. Frederick S. 
Peckham, Job A. 
Powel, Thomas Ives Hare 
Richardson, Mrs. Thomas 
Rives, George L. 
Robinson, Col. C. L. F. 
Safe, Mrs. T. Shaw 
Sherman, Mrs. Wm. Watts 
Smith, Miss Esther Morton 
Swan, James A. 
Swan, Mrs. James A. 
Taylor, H. A. C. 
Taylor, Henry R. 
Thayer, Mrs. Nathaniel 
Tilley, Edith May 
Tompkins, Hamilton B. 
Tuckerman, Alfred 
Tuckerman, Mrs. Alfred 
Vanderbilt, Mrs. 
Vanderbilt, Mrs. French 
Vernon, Mrs. J. Peace 
Warren, George Henry 
Webster, Hamilton Fish 
Wetmore, Hon. George P. 

SUSTAINING MEMBERS 

Berwind, Mrs. Edward J. 
Bispham, Mrs. George T. 
Brown, Mrs. James J. 
Brown, Mrs. John Nicholas 
Burke- Roche, Mrs. Frances 
Clark, Miss Elizabeth 
Clarke, Mrs. J. Francis A. 
Codman, Miss Martha 



12 



DeForest, George B. 
Drexel, Mrs. John.R. 
Duncan, Mrs. Stuart 
Dunn, Mrs. Thomas 
Emmons, Arthur B. 
Glyn, Mrs. William E. 
Grosvenor, Mrs. William 
Havemeyer, H. 0., Jr. 
Hayden, Col. Charles 
Hazard, Miss Caroline 
Hunt, Mrs. Livingston 
Hunter, Miss Anna F. 
Jacobs, Dr. Henry Barton 
Jenckes, John 
Kernochan, Mrs. James P. 
Norman, Mrs. Bradford 
Norman, Guy 
Pierson, Gen. J. Fred 
Potter, Mrs. Edward T. 
Kives, Dr. William C. 
Robinson, Mrs. C. L. F. 
Schreier, Eugene 
Sedgwick, Robert 
Spencer, Mrs. Lorillard 
Sturgis, Frank K. 
Tailer, T. Suffern 
Terry, Rev. Roderick 
Van Alen, J. J. 
Weaver, Miss Sarah C. 
Webster, Mrs. Hamilton Fish 
Winthrop, Egerton L. 

ANNUAL MEMBERS 

Abney, John R. 
Andrews, Mrs. Walter S. 
Anderson, Dr. Alexander J. 
Armstrong, William A. 
Austin, Amory 
Austin, George B. 
Baker, Hon. Darius 
Bakhmeteff, Madam 
Balch, Mrs. Stephen Elliott 



Baldwin, Frederick H. 
Ball, Alwyn, Jr. 
Barker, Christopher F., M. D. 
Barker, Francis S. 
Barry, Louis J. 
Beck, Dr. Horace P. 
Benjamin, George H. 
Bergman, Isaac B. 
Bliss, Richard 
Britton, Miss Selah W. 
Buffum, William P. 
Bufium, Mrs. Wm. P. 
Bull, Mrs. Charles M. 
Burdick, Hon. Clark 
Burdick, David J. 
Burdick, Edwin S. 
Burgess, Prof. John W. 
Burlingame, Hon. Robert S. 
Burlingham, Hiram 
Busk, Mrs. Joseph R 
Cabell, Walter Coles 
Campbell, Dudley E. 
Carr, George H. 
Carr, Leander K. 
Case, Philip B. 
Caswell, John R. 
Chadwick, Mrs. French E. 
Clark, Dr. Philip E. 
Clark, Mrs. Philip E. 
Clarke, Mrs. W^m. P., Sr. 
Coggeshall, Dr. Henry 
Cole, Charles M. 
Connolly, Thomas B. 
Cortazzo, Madame 
Cortazzo, Miss Katherine 
Cottrell, Charles M. 
Cozzens, J. Powel 
Creighton, Mrs. J. McP. 
Darlington, Rt. Rev. James H. 
Davies, Julien T. 
Davis, Rear Admiral Charles H. 
Davis, Mrs. Dudley 



^3 



Davis, Galen 

de Cangongo, Countess de San 

Esteban 
Dennis, Wm. E., Jr. 
de Tahy, Prof. Joannes 
Dickey, Rev. George V. 
Downing, George Fay 
Drury, James H. 
Duncan, Stuart 
Dyer, Herbert 
Easton, Arthur H. 
Easton, Charles D., M. D. 
Easton, Fred W. 
Edgar, Miss Lucille R. 
Ellery, Miss Henrietta 
Elliott, Mrs. John 
Ellis, Miss Helen 
Estes, Dr. Nathan A . 
Estes, Mrs. Nathan A. 
Eustis, Col. George Peabody 
Eustis, Mrs. George Peabody 
Fagan, James P. 
Ferry, Mrs. E. Hay ward 
Fish, Stuyvesant 
Ford, Mrs. Thomas G. 
Forsyth, Mrs. J. B. 
Franklin, Miss Ruth 
Franklin, William B. 
Gardner, Mrs. Charles C. 
Garrettson, Hon. F. P. 
Gillespie, Lawrence L. 
Gillespie, Mrs. Lawrence L. 
Graham, Howard S. 
Greene, John H., Jr. 
Greenman, Mrs. John 
Haggin, Mrs. James B. 
Hague, Arnold 
Hammond, Ogden H. 
Hazard, Miss Abby C. 
Hendy, Henry Stuart 
Higbee, Edward W. 
Hill, Mrs. Walter N. 



Hillhouse, Mrs. Charles B. 
Hoffman, Charles F. 
Hoppin, Samuel H. 
Horton, Hon. Jere W. 
Hosmer, L. H. 
Howard, Mrs. E. W. 
Howland, Mrs. Joseph 
Hughes, Rev. Stanley C. 
Hunter, Miss Augusta 
Hunter, William R. 
Ingalls, Mrs. John J. 
Ingraham, Phoenix 
Jacobs, Mrs. Henry Barton 
Jones, Miss Caroline Ogden 
Jones, Rev. J. Andrew 
Jones, Mrs. Pembroke 
Josephs, Mrs. Lyman C. 
Kimber, Rev. John S. 
King, Col. Frank P. 
King, Frederick R. 
King, Miss Georgianna G. 
King, Mrs. LeRoy 
King, LeRoy 
Kling, Charles P. 
Koehne, Charles H., Jr. 
La Farge, Mrs. John 
Lawson, John A. 
Lawton,- Mrs. Thomas A. 
Leavitt, I\'Iiss Blanche 
Lee, William H. 
Levy, Hon. Max 
Lippitt, Hon. Charles Warren 
Lippitt, Mrs. Charles Warren 
Lockrow, Mrs. Harve}" J. 
Lorah, James R. 
Low, William G., Jr. 
Luce, Rear Admiral S. B. 
Macomber, Isaac 
Marvin, Miss Elizabeth B. 
Mason, Dr. John J. 
Mason, Mrs. John J. 
McAllister, Miss Louise Ward 



H 



McCormick, Michael A. 
McLennan, John K. 
MacLeod, Hon. William 
McMahon, Andrew K. 
Morgan, Mrs. Wm. Rogers 
Moriarty, Mrs. George A. 
Morrison, Charles E. 
Murdock, Rear Admiral J. B. 
Naval War College 
Norman, Maxwell 
Norman, Col. Reginald 
Nowell, Mrs. T. S. 
Noyes, Mrs. Boutelle 
O'Neill, Thomas J. 
Patdson, Mrs. E. J. 
Pearson, Mrs. Frederick 
Peck, Rev. Charles Russell 
Peckham, Miss Antoinette 
Peckham, Mrs. Felix 
Peckham, Miss Lillian 
Peckham, Thomas P. 
Peckham, Mrs. R. Wallace 
Pepper, Mrs. William 
Perry, Mrs. Henry P. 
Perry, Marsden J. 
Petterson, Gustof L. 
Phillips, Arthur S. 
Philhps, Hon. N. Taylor 
Pitman, T. T. 
Powel, Miss Mary E. 
Price. Brig. General Butler D. 
Pumpelly, Prof. Raphael 
Redmond, Miss Lydia 
Reynal, Mrs. E. S. 
Richards, Edgar 
Richardson, George H. 
Ridlon, Dr. John 
Roberts, Arthur S. 
Robinson, Dr. Edwin P. 
Russo, Marco 
Sage. Mrs. George E. 
Sanborn, Hon. John P. 



Sanborn, Mrs. John P 
Sanborn, A. H. 
Scott, Mrs. George S. 
Seabury, Col. John C. 
Shanahan, Dennis 
Sheffield, Hon. Wra. P. 
Sherman, Albert K. 
Sherman, Mrs. Albert K. 
Sherman, Mrs. B. B. H. 
Sherman, D. F. 
Sherman, Col. Edward A. 
Sherman, Miss Elizabeth G. 
Sherman, Dr. William A. 
Sherman, Dr. William S. 
Sherman, Mrs. William S. 
Slade, Mrs. Abbott E. 
Slocum, William S. 
Smith, Daniel 
Smith, Mrs. R. Manson 
Spencer, John Thompson 
Sprague, Mrs. Frank J. 
Stanhope, Clarence 
Stanton, Dr. N. G. 
Stetson, George R. 
Stevens, Miss J. Austin 
Stevens, Mrs. Harriet 
Stevens, Henry C, Jr. 
Stevens, Miss Katharine M. 
Steven.'!, Miss Maude L. 
Stewart, Anthony 
Stickney, Mrs. Albert 
Stoddard, Dr. William C. 
Stoneman, Michael 
Storer, Dr. Horatio R. 
Sullivan, Hon. John B. 
Sullivan, Dr. M. H. 
Swan, Miss Sallie C. 
Swinburne, Miss Elizabeth 
Tanner, Benjamin F. 
Taylor, Grant P. 
Thaw, Benjamin 
Thomas, Miss Harriet 



15 



Thompson, Frank E. 
Underwood, Mrs Wm. J. 
Van Allen, Mrs. Garett A. 
Van Beuren, Mrs. Michael M. 
Vanderbilt, Reginald 
Van Rensselaer, Mrs. Schuyler 
Vernon, Miss Elizabeth 
Wanton, Charles A. N. 
Ward, Miss A. Louise 
Ward, Rev. Wm. I. 
Warren, George Henry, Jr. 
Weaver, Mrs. Charles A. 
Weaver, Harry R. 
Weaver, Thomas L. S. 
Wetherell, Col. John H. 
Wharton, Mrs, Henry 
White, Elias Henley 
White, Mrs. Elias Henley 
Whitman, Hon. Charles S. 
Wildey, Mrs. Anna C. 
Wood. Mrs. Henry A. 
Wright, Mrs. Walter A. 

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 

Andrews, Mrs. Wm., Jr. 
Atkinson, Mrs. Mary 
Angier, Miss Abigail A. 
Balis, Clarence Wanton 
Bigelow, Francis H. 
Bloch, Rev. Julius 
Bokee, Miss Margaret 
Bosworth, Miss Rebecca T. 
Brackett, Mrs. Charles 
Braman, Mrs. Packer 
Branston, Mrs. Joseph 
Brightman, Miss Eva S. C. 
Brightman, Wm. E. 
Brownell, Miss Ella 
Brownell, Miss Nancy 
Buenzle, Frederick J. 
Burlingham, Rev. E. J. 
Burlingham, Mrs. Thomas 



Casey, Miss Sophie P. 
Chester, Charles E. 
Chester, Dr. Frank Dyer 
Chinn, Miss E. Bertha 
Cottrell, Miss Annie 
du Fais, John 
Ellis, Miss Lizzie 
Fowler, Miss A. Sybil 
Franklin, Mrs. Robert M. 
Goddard, William D. 
Hayes, Robert S. 
Hayes, Mrs. Robert S. 
Hazard, Miss Mary A. 
Holland. Mrs. Katharine B. 
Howard, Mrs. Wm. R 
Jones, Rev. Wm. Safford 
Lawton, George P. 
Marsh, Mrs. Herbert 
McCarthy, Miss Alice 
Mead, Mrs George Whitfield 
Nichols, Miss Matilda 
Nichols, William S. 
Olney, George W. 
O'Neill, Eugene C. 
Peckham, Mrs. Frank L. 
Peckham, Mrs. Thomas P. 
Perry, Howard H. 
Perry, Mrs. Joseph 
Perry, Thomas Sergeant 
Pinniger, Mrs. David 
Potter, Ralph G. 
Powell, Mrs. Frank 
Rogers, Mrs. Elisha 
Sayer, Miss Mary A. 
Sherman, Miss Annie A. 
Smith, Miss Elizabeth B. 
Smith, Mrs. Ellen G. Cornell 
Smith, Miss Helen Fairchild 
Stanton, Miss Bessie 
Stanton, William H. 
Stewart, Mrs. John 
Swasey, Miss Jeannette 



i6 



Swinburne, Henry H. 
Tetlow, Mrs. Albert 
Tilney, Robert 
Titus, Mrs. Harry A. 
Tracy, Dr. Dwight 
Underwood. Mrs. Nicholas 
Vernon, Miss Annie 
Vose, Miss Caroline M. 
Ward, Howard Gould 
Waring, Miss E. B. 
Weaver, Miss Susan J. 
Wharton, Jos. S. Lovering 
Wheeler, Henry 



Whitehead, Hon. John M. 
Willard, James LeBaron 
Willard, Miss Mary A. 
Wing, Wm. Arthur 
Wood, Trist 



TOTAL MEMBERS 


Life 


58 


Sustaining 


39 


Annual 


240 


Associate 


78 



Total 



415 




SOCIETY NOTES 



THE IMPROVEMENTS 

Work on the new fireproof build- 
ing is progressing. Three sides of 
the old meeting-house have been en- 
cased in brick, which it is hoped 
will be a safe-guard for the wooden 
building, only the interior of which 
is old. The last of the earlier clap- 
boards were removed in 1884 when 
the Society purchased the building 
from the Seventh Day Baptists. 
The hood, once a part of the door- 
way of the Ayrault house, destroyed 
some years ago, has been placed in 
position over the Barney Street en- 
trance. This hood is of great archi- 
tectural interest, and is thought to 
be the only example of the kind in 
America. 

The foundation for the new vault 
room is being laid, and is of especial 
interest to members, as it promises 
so much additional space and safety 
for our ever-increasing collection of 
manuscripts. 

The fund is slowly being raised. 
As stated in the annual reports, 
about 100 members have contrib- 
uted, and the officers have a deep 
appreciation of their kindness. 
There are still three hundred other 
members whose interest we would 
bespeak. An average contribution 
of $10 each would complete the 
fund, and even one dollar from 



each would help in the work and 
would give the donors a real inter- 
est in the home of the Society. Any 
gift, however small, would be appre- 
ciated. The fund (July 17) amounts 
to $16,492, in gifts and pledges. 

With the prospect of increased fa- 
cilities for the safe-keeping of ex- 
hibits, many interesting relics are 
being offered. 

The No. 1 Engine Co., which is 
just disbanding, has given its records 
and relics to the Society ; among 
them a part of the first engine in 
Newport, imported from England 
in 1736. The No. 5 Co. has voted 
to present a portrait of an early 
member. A collection of local In- 
dian relics will be given as soon as 
we have sufficient space for the 
cabinet ; and many other articles of 
local historic value are promised. 

THE PAGEANT, JuLY 5. 

The Society participated in the 
Pageant which took place on July 
fifth at Aquidneck Park. The out- 
line was written by Miss Maude L. 
Stevens and Miss Tilley, our Libra- 
rian, and the first episode, " Indian 
Life and the Purchase of the 
Island,'' was under the direction of 
the librarian, assisted by Rev. E. L. 
Reed, Curate of Emmanuel Church. 
Of particular interest was the con- 
versation between the Indian Chief, 



i8 



Wonnumetonomy, and Roger Will- 
iams, acting as interpreter for the 
purchasers. This was worked up 
by the Librarian from Roger Will- 
iams' " Key to the Indian Lan- 
guage", and was ably delivered by 
Mr. Jack Allen as the chief and 
Mr. Harold Gibson as Roger Will- 



iams. The Settlers, whose arrival 
followed the departure (from the 
Island) of the Indians, formed a 
pleasing picture, with spinning 
wheel, reel, foot-warmer, and many 
houseliold articles from the Socie- 
ty's collections. 




OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

For the year ending May^ igi6 



President, HON. DANIEL B. FEARING 
First Vice-President, REV. RODERICK TERRY, D. D. 

Second Vice-President, MR. FRANK K. STURGIS 

Third Vice-President, MR. ALFRED TUCKERMAN 

Recording Secretary, MR. JOHN P. SANBORN 

Corresponding Secretary, MR. GEORGE H. RICHARDSON 

Treasurer, MR. HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. 

Librarian, MISS EDITH MAY TILLEY 

Curator of Coins and Medals, DR. EDWIN P. ROBINSON 

Board of Directors 
THE OFFICERS and 

FOR THREE YEARS 

MRS. C. L. F. ROBINSON REV. GEORGE V. DICKEY 

MR. JONAS BERGNER MR. LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE 

FOR TWO YEARS 

MRS. HAROLD BROWN DR. WILLIAM S. SHERMAN 

MRS. RICHARD C. DERBY MR. JOB A. PECKHAM 

FOR ONE YEAR 

MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON MR. HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 

MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT MR. GEORGE L. RIVES 



BULLETIN 

OF THE 

N e wport H ist orical S ociety 

Number Eighteen NEWPORT, R. I. October. 1915 

The Battle of Rhode Island 

By 
Ex-Governor CHARLES WARREN LIPPITT 



A Paper read at a Special Meeting of the Society in the Old State House 
September 25th, 1915. 



Copyright 1915 by Charles Warren Lippitt 



August 29, 1778, in the annals of Rhode Island, is historic. 
Its memories are dear to the nation as well as to the State. To 
commemorate the deeds of national heroes links the present with 
the past and guards the nation's future. To honor patriotic 
sacrifices inspires similar efforts in later emergencies. 

Late in July, 1778, a stately fleet of 12 line-of-battleships 
and four frigates, containing Count D'Estaing's expedition to aid 
the Colonial cause, appeared off Newport. Moving majestically 
forward, they soon anchored, extending from the Narragansett 
shore to Brenton's Neck, completely closing the harbor. Later 
three of the frigates advanced to Seaconnet, and their appearance 
at Fogland Ferry in the East passage caused the British to burn 
three armed vessels. 

July 30, two French ships of the line forced their way by the 
batteries about Newport and passed on further up the bay, caus- 
ing the burning of eight and the sinking of 13 British ships. 



./V:)/V^/<^ 



August 6, eleven of the French ships approached Newport, and 
under a heavy cannonade passed the town and its batteries. The 
only British frigate remaining in the harbor and a number of 
transports were burned in the greatest haste. 

In addition to the transports destroyed, the following English 
ships of war were sunk or burned to prevent their capture by the 
French; Lark, Orpheus, Juno, Flora, Cerberus, Falcon, and 
Kingfisher. The French Government allowed prize money at 
600 livres per gun carried by all British vessels destroyed, and 
the total guns captured was 212. At that time a livre was 
worth two thirds of a dollar and the total in prize money there- 
fore amounted to $84,800. 

It is unnecessary on this occasion to trace the landing of 
Gen. Sullivan's army on the island of Rhode Island and its sub- 
sequent operations to capture Newport; to estimate the propriety 
of the French effort to join battle with the English fleet off Point 
Judith; to examine the effects of the furious August gale that 
wrought such havoc with both fleets and armies; or to determine 
the necessity of refitting D'Estaing's fleet at Boston, and its 
abandonment of Sullivan and the Continental Army on Rhode 
Island. 

As an illustration of the influence of sea-power in military 
operations it is most pertinent. The English holding control of 
Narragansett Bay, all efforts to capture Newport were futile and 
could only result in disaster. Rhode Islanders cannot ignore that 
lesson. The stern necessity of an adequate naval force to protect 
the extended national domain was never greater. Never before 
in history has such time been required to create the ships, guns 
and accessories, necessary for a modern navy, and to instruct the 
personnel to successfully use modern engines of war on the world's 
oceans. " To maintain peace be prepared for war." 

The absence of D'Estaing and the French fleet in the cam- 
paign on Rhode Island gave the English an overwhtlming ad- 
vantage. The separation of the Continental forces from the 
mainland by wide waterways, and the probability of reinforce- 
ments to the English garrison of Newport from New York, sup- 
ported by an English fleet, constituted a most serious menace. 
Prudent regard for the safety of the army required the abandon- 



ment of the siege until the return of the French fleet, and Gen. 
Sullivan arranged for the withdrawal of hi? army from the 
trenches before Newport. 

During the night of August 28th and 29th the Americans 
effected a most orderly retreat toward the north end of the island, 
although even then ardent hopes were entertained that upon the 
reappearance of D'Bstaing active siege operations could be 
resumed. 

The main portion of the army encamped on Butt's hill, its 
right extending to the West, and its left to the East, road, with 
flanking and covering parties prolonged toward the water on each 
side of the island. 

About three miles south of this position on Windmill hill, in 
the neighborhood of a cross-road, joining the East and West 
roads. Col. Henry B. Livingston was posted with a light corps 
consisting of Col. Jackson's detachment and another from the 
army. On the West road a second light corps was located, com- 
manded by Col. Laurens, Col. Fleury and Major Talbot. In the 
rear of these troops the picket of the army was stationed, com- 
manded by Col. Wade. With these arrangements completed 
Gen. Sullivan confidently awaited the British attack. 

Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene commanded the right wing, ex- 
tending nearly to the western shore of the island. On the extreme 
right of his position a small redoubt was located to protect the 
Americans from the flanking fire of any English vessels sailing 
up the bay from Newport. The command of the left wing of the 
army was given to Gen. Lafayette. His hurried journey to 
Boston to hasten the arrival of the French troops rendered it im- 
possible for him to assume its active command during the battle. 
His anxiety to take part in the conflict caused him to provide re- 
lays of horses and to cover the 70 miles to Boston in seven, and 
the trip back in six and one-half, hours. On his return the retreat 
across Howland's Ferry was in progress and he was assigned to 
the command of the rear guard. 

The discovery early in the morning of August 29, 1778, that 
the Americans had abandoned their entrenchments opposite New- 
port caused Gen. Pigot to hurriedly arrange to harass their retreat. 
The Hessian Chasseurs and the Anspach regiments of Voit and 



Seaboth were ordered to advance northward by the West road, 
under command of Gen. Losberg. Brig. Gen. Smith, with the 
43d and 22d British Regiments, and the flank companies of the 
38th and the 54th, marched up the East road in search of the 
retreating Americans. 

The two armies soon came in touch and skirmishing began. 
The Continentals endeavored to delay as much as possible the ad- 
vance of the enemy without engaging in a general action. They 
made repeated stands, checked the British advance, and then re- 
treated to other advantageous positions further north. At times 
the contest on the West road was severe. Col. Laurens, in com- 
mand on this highway, vigorously resisted the Hessians. 

The British detachment endeavoring to force the East road 
finally reached the cross-road near the Gibbs place, joining the 
East and West roads immediately in front of Col. Livingston's 
position. The possibility of the English utilizing this cross-road 
had induced Livingston to post his contingent in the field bound- 
ing south on the cross-road and easterly on the East road, quite 
effectually concealed by its high stone walls and the luxuriantly 
growing grain. 

Possibly the sharp firing on the West road caused Col. Camp- 
bell to consider the Hessians required assistance. Whatever the 
reason, half of the Twenty-second British Regiment turned into 
this by-road. At a favorable moment the Americans from short 
range fired a fearfully effective volley into the unprotected enemy. 
The surprise, the falling of the dead and wounded, the attack 
coming from almost unseen foes, enabled the Americans to load 
and repeat their volley with equally frightful results, before they 
retreated. It was claimed that Col. Campbell, afterward Mac- 
Culloni More, lost in this terrible onslaught fully one-quarter of 
his regiment. 

The two light corps were supported for some time by the 
picket under Col. Wade. Their successful resistance to the 
British advance and the heavy firing caused by the different 
skirmishes, induced Gen. Sullivan to send a regiment to support 
Col. Livingston and another to the assistance of Col. Laurens. 

The Americans made a more persistent stand in the neigh- 
borhood of Quaker Hill than was compatible with Gen. Sullivan's 



plan of operations. He accordingly sent out one of his aides, 
Col. John Trumbull, to order the withdrawal of the troops. In 
carrying the message Trumbull had to ascend the northern slope 
of Quaker Hill, something more than a mile in length. The 
conflict was raging near the top of the eminence. As he pro- 
gressed round shot came bounding on and plowed up the ground 
in his neighborhood. 

He met his friend, Col. Tousard, a member of Lafayette's 
military family, whose horse had been killed under him. His 
arm had been blown off by the discharge of a field piece, for the 
possession of which there had been a sharp struggle, and he was 
being led to the rear. Congress, subsequently, for his bravery, 
granted him the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by brevet and a pen- 
sion of $30 a month for life. 

Trumbull later encountered Capt. Walker of Jackson's regi- 
ment, shot through the body by a musket ball, proceeding to the 
rear, mounted behind a man on horseback. Walker bade the 
Colonel a melancholy farewell and died of his wound before night. 

Soon grapeshot and musket balls thickly dotted Col. Trum- 
ball's path. Urging his horse forward, he quickly reached the 
summit of the hill and found himself in the midst of the skirmish. 
Col. Wigglesworth commanded the rear guard and elated with 
the progress of the engagement, cried out to the Colonel as he 
saw him approach, " Don't say a word, Trumbull; I know your 
errand, but don't speak; we will beat them in a moment." 

Col. Trumbull called his attention to a body of men crossing 
obliquely from the West road toward the rear of the guard. Col. 
Wigglesworth replied, "They are Americans coming to our 
support." 

" No sir, those are Germans; their dress is blue and yellow, 
not buff; they are moving to intercept your rear," said Col. 
Trumbull. " Retreat instantly — don't lose a moment or you 
will be cut off." Col. Wigglesworth reluctantly recognized the 
situation and withdrew the guard slowly but safely toward the 
main army. 

As Trumbull rode back to report, he met his friend Col. 
Sherburne of New Hampshire, a fellow volunteer, who was being 
carried to the rear to have his leg amputated. Sherburne was a 



volunteer aide to Gen. Glover, who with his military family was 
taking breakfast in a house near Quaker Hill, a long mile distant 
from the skirmish. The firing on the hill becoming heavy and 
incessant, the General directed Mr. Rufus King, also a volunteer 
aide, to mount and investigate the conditions. 

As Mr. King left the table in obedience to this order Col. 
Sherburne took his vacant chair, and was hardly seated before a 
spent cannon ball bounded through the open window, fell upon 
the floor, rolled toward Sherburne and crushed all the bones of 
his foot. The ways of Providence are unforeseen. Who can ac- 
count for the power that saved Mr. King from this terrible mis- 
fortune and, without apparent cause, inflicted it upon Colonel 
Sherburne? 

It was to him a lasting mortification, as the poor follow 
argued " if this had happened to me in the field, in active duty, 
the loss of a leg might be borne, but to be condemned through all 
future life to say, I lost my leg under the breakfast table is too 
bad." 

Equally remarkable were the frequent escapes from almost 
certain death that the gallant Col. Trumbull experienced in 
bravely executing the orders of his chief in the momentous cir- 
cumstances of the battle. A gust of wind blew off his hat and 
there being no time to dismount, he tied a white handkerchief 
about his head and continued on duty in this improvised head- 
gear, as the hat was not recovered until evening. Mounted on a 
superb bay horse, in a summer dress of nankeen and with his 
white headdress, he constituted a most conspicuous mark on the 
field. 

Exposed to every danger of the occasion he escaped entirely 
without injury, a result that caused Gen. Mattoon to write him 
after the battle, " Your preservation in each of these most daring 
enterprises I have ever considered little short of a miracle, and a 
most remarkable interposition of Providence for your safety." 
Gen. Sullivan also exclaimed on Col. Trumbull's return from 
conveying the order to Col. Wigglesworth , to retire the rear 
guard " Your escape has been most wonderful." 

The British contingent on the East road finally approached 
quite near the left wing of the American Array, but after a sharp 



action they were repulsed by Gen. Glover and forced to retire to 
Quaker Hill. Their line of battle was then formed on Quaker, 
Turkey and Anthony Hills, with its right extending nearly to 
the eastern and its left to the western, shore of Rhode Island. 
Between the hills occupied by the English and Butts Hill, with 
its neighboring eminences already occupied by Gen. Sullivan's 
army, a valley intervened about a mile wide, somewhat wooded 
in places, and interspersed with meadows and thickets of copse. 

The English ships of war, with several small armed vessels 
that had arrived within a day or two at Newport, were ordered to 
take position off the western shore of Rhode Island and flank the 
right wing of the American Army. Pending the arrival of these 
vessels the English did not force the fighting. At 9 o'clock a 
gun on the right of their line gave the signal, which was imme- 
diately followed by a general cannonade from both armies. 

About ten o'clock, the naval contingent having arrived and 
opened fire, the British and Hessians on the left of their line 
charged down the slope of Anthony Hill in great force to capture 
the redoubt and turn the right wing of the American Army. 
Gen, Greene commanded at this point, and his men met the 
enemy with such destructive volleys of musketry that the ground 
was heaped with their dead and wounded and their order totally 
disarranged . 

The attack was repulsed and the enemy fell back in helpless 
rout. Responding, however, to the call of their officers, they 
rallied and after re-arranging their broken lines again advanced 
to the attack. The day was warm and the hills prevented the 
breeze from reaching the valley. The heavy uniform of the 
British infantry and of the Hessian Grenadiers greatly impeded 
their movements. The Americans met the situation by discard- 
ing such garments as interfered with the freedom of their 
exertions and utilized their weapons to the utmost extent. 

The result of the attack was as before. The frantic efforts 
to turn the American right and to capture the redoubt were met 
with equal determination to hold the position by the brave men 
under Gen. Greene. At last, unable to accomplish their object, 
dazed and bewildered by their losses as well as by the courage and 
pertinacity of the defence, the enemy was again hurled back and 
fled up the slopes of Anthony Hill. 



During the hours occupied by these events the Light Troops 
under Col. Livingston, that had retarded the advance of the 
enemy up the East road in the early morning, had been gaining 
a much needed rest on the northern slope of Butts Hill. As the 
enemy for the third time formed to attack the somewhat 
exhausted right wing that had stood the brunt of the conflict 
during the day, Col. Livingston with Jackson's regiment was 
ordered by Gen. Sullivan to pass around the hill and attack the 
enemy if opportunity offered. Additional troops were ordered to 
support Gen. Greene. 

Two heavy batteries opened fire upon the ships that had 
enfiladed the American right wing and finally silenced their fire. 
Gen. Pigot at this point of the battle, observing the danger of 
defeat, collected his reserves, to aid his partially disheartened 
forces. 

While the battle was raging on the American right. Gen. 
Lovell with his Massachusetts troops was ordered to engage the 
British right and rear and gallantly pushed the attack. The re- 
inforcement received enabled Gen. Greene to advance a portion of 
his forces against his assailants in the meadow, crowding them 
together and creating considerable confusion. Livingston watched 
for his opportunity and at the proper time led Jackson's regiment 
with fixed bayonets against the flank of the already wavering foe. 

His fierce attack soon turned the tide of battle and the mass 
of British and Hessians were driven across the valley, up the 
slopes of the opposite hills to the entrenchments on their summits. 
The Americans, closely following the flying enemy, captured 
Brady's battery as an evidence of their resistless charge and vic- 
torious triumph. 

All efforts to turn the American right and capture the 
redoubt having failed, the enemy at about four in the afternoon 
rested in the entrenchments on Quaker, Turkey and Anthony 
Hills that they had occupied in the early morning. The conflict 
was over, the Americans held their position and controlled the 
field of battle. 

Anticipations that the struggle would be renewed the next 
day, Sunday, were not fulfilled, as both armies were occupied 
in the burial of the dead and the care of the wounded. Col. 



Campbell of the Twenty-second British Regiment asked per- 
mission of Gen. Sullivan during the day to seek on the field for 
his nephew who had been killed by his side, but whose body 
he could not remove as they were so closely pursued. 

At noon, a letter from Gen. Washington was received, 
stating that Lord Howe had left New York with five thousand 
men to reinforce Newport. It became known that a fleet was off 
Block Island, and a letter from Boston announced that Count 
D'Estaing could not return as soon as was expected. In these 
circumstances, a retreat to the mainland was unanimously ap- 
proved. 

The difficulty of transporting an army with its baggage 
across a wide waterway in the face of an enemy of at least equal 
force was keenly appreciated. An incessant cannonade was 
maintained throughout the day. Nearly the whole army was 
employed in fortifying the camp. A large number of tents were 
pitched in sight of the enemy. The heavy baggage and stores 
were moved to the rear and ferried to the mainland before night. 
At dark the tents were struck, the troops with the light baggage 
retreated, and before midnight the main army had crossed to 
Tiverton. 

" Not a man was left behind nor the smallest article lost." 
The sentinels of the opposing armies were only 200 yards apart, 
yet these movements were successfully executed. Lafayette 
returned during the retreat from the island and materially assisted 
its success. Gen. Sullivan's barge was the last to leave the 
island and his life guard suffered severely from the fire of the 
enemy. 

Side by side with their former masters, in the fierce contest 
on the right of the American line, fought the recently raised bat- 
talion of negro troops, formerly Rhode Island slaves, but freed 
by their act of enlistment in the service of the Colonies. The 
General Assembly of Rhode Island compensated their former 
owners for the loss of these men's services. 

This battalion suggested by Gen. Varnum, approved by Gen. 
Washington, raised and drilled by Col. Christopher Greene, 
Lieut. Col. Jeremiah Olney, and Maj. Samuel Ward, was posted 
in a grove in the valley near Gen. Greene's position. 



Gen, Sullivan in " After orders, Oct. 30, 1778," states "the 
Commander-in-Chief thinks that (black) regiment will be entitled 
to a proper share of the Honors of the day." This is held to be 
the first time that negroes were formally enlisted and organized in 
the service of the country. 

A British survivor wrote of the attack on the rail fence at 
the Battle of Bunker Hill. 

"Indeed, how could we penetrate it? Most of our Grena- 
diers and Light Infantry, the moment of presenting themselves, 
lost three-fourths and many nine-tenths of their men. Some had 
only eight or nine men in a company left, some only three, four 
or five." 

Gen. Stark, commanding the Americans at this point, relates 
of the effect of their fire : ' ' The dead lay as thick as sheep in a 
fold." 

Burgoyne, viewing the battle from the entrenchments on 
Copps Hill, impressed by the awe-inspiring grandeur of the scene, 
wrote : " The whole was a complication of horror and import- 
ance beyond anything it ever came to my lot to be witness to. It 
was a sight for a young soldier that the longest service may not 
furnish again." 

Observation on Government account of the late battle of 
Charlestown, published in London Aug. i, 1775, summing up 
the results reported : "By this rule the Americans will put the 
whole army into the grave or hospitals in three or four nights' 
work and an hour's fire in each morning." 

It is also pertinent to repeat the language of Gov. Johnstone 
in the House of Commons relative to this glorious conflict : 

" To a mind who loves to contemplate the glorious spirit of 
freedom, no spectacle can be more affecting than the action at 
Bunker's Hill. To see an irregular peasantry, commanded by a 
physician, inferior in numbers, opposed by every circumstance 
of cannon and bombs that could terrify timid minds, calmly await 
the attack of the gallant Howe, leading on the best troops in the 
world, with an excellent train of artillery, and twice repulsing 
those very troops, who had often chased the chosen battalions of 
France, and at last retiring for want of ammunition, but in so re- 
spectable a manner that they were not even pursued — who can 



reflect on such scenes and not adore the constitution of govern- 
ment which could breed such men." 

At Bunker Hill the British lost 1054 and the Americans 449. 

In the battle of Rhode Island, the English lost 1023 and the 
Americans 211. 

At Bunker Hill, until the British entered the redoubt, the 
Americans fought behind entrenchments. 

At Butts Hill, the greater part of the fighting was in the open 
country, where each army had like opportunities of protection. 

At Bunker Hill, the third assault was successful, the redoubt 
captured, and the Americans driven from the field. 

At Butts Hill, the third assault was repulsed, and the British 
driven from the field. The Americans held their position and 
controlled the field of battle, not only after the fighting but dur- 
ing the whole of the next day, and until they had completed their 
arrangements to cross to the mainland. 

It is gratifying in the final contest in the afternoon of the 
29th, that the British and Hessians were driven from the field by 
an application of that cold steel held to be such an universal de- 
pendence of the British Army. It was the fierce bayonet charge 
of the sturdy yeomen of Jackson's regiment, under Livingston's 
leadership, and their comrades of the right wing under Gen. 
Greene's command, that fully satisfied the British fighting desire 
on that momentous day, and sent them scurrying in helpless 
flight to their earthworks for protection. 

Gen. Greene, writing to Gen. Washington concerning the 
battle reported: '' We soon put the enemy to rout, and I had the 
pleasure to see them run in worse disorder than they did at the 
battle of Monmouth." 

Lafayette justly characterized the battle of Rhode Island as 
" The best fought action of the war." 

D'Estaing's instructions to refit at Boston were mandatory- 
There is abundant proof that much as the absence of his fleet was 
regretted, it was the result of uncontrollable circumstances. Had 
it been possible for the French to perform their part of the ex- 
pedition the entire British Army in Newport would have been 
captured. It was reasonably anticipated that such an event 
occuring within a year of Burgoyne's capture at Saratoga, would 
have resulted in terminating the war. 



The sound judgment of Washington induced him to confi- 
dently entertain that opinion. He wrote concerning the capture 
of Newport: 

" If the garrison of that place, consisting of nearly six thou- 
sand men, had been captured, as there was, in appearance at least, 
a hundred to one in favor of it, it would have given the finishing 
blow to the British pretensions of sovereignty over this country; 
and would, I am persuaded, have hastened the departure of the 
troops in New York as fast as their canvas wings could carry 
them away." 

Lafayette stated to Zachariah Allen at Providence in 1824: 
"I believe that this capture would have produced the same de- 
cisive result of speedily terminating the American war, as was 
subsequently accomplished by the capture of nearly the same xA.rmy 
at Yorktown, by the successful co-operation of the French fleet 
under Count De Grasse, under similar circumstances." 

The object of the expedition was not attained, but conclu- 
sive evidence was afforded that Newport could not be permanently 
held without a garrison sufficiently large to materially interfere 
with other British military operations. 

The termination of this expedition which had opened with 
such promise of success was attended with unusual hazard. Had 
Lord Howe with Sir Henry Clinton's forces reached Newport on 
August 28th or 29th, instead of the 31st, the larger part, if not 
the whole, of Gen. Sullivan's army would have been captured. 
The English fleet could easily have controlled the waterways 
about Rhode Island and prevented the retreat of the American 
army, whose safety depended on the free use of the passage to the 
mainland. With this waterway commanded by the English the 
Americans could only have surrendered or died. 

During the last days of August, 1778, a disaster to the Con- 
tinental cause, largely nullifying the prestige of Burgoyne's cap- 
ture, was fearfully possible. In such circumstances, that without 
foreign aid the British were forced within their Newport entrench- 
ments; 

that the departure of the French fleet was fully appreciated 
and its effect upon the resulting situation accepted; 

that the retreat to Butts Hill was an eminent success; 

12 



that the battle on Rhode Island was a gratif} ing American 
victory; 

that the masterly retreat to the mainland, across a broad 
waterway, in the face of an enemy of at least equal magnitude, 
was conducted without loss; 

and finally that the American army was saved and the Brit- 
ish army materially injured, redounds to the credit of Gen. Sulli- 
van, his officers, and men. 

Popular criticism is not in fallible and is often expressed with- 
out adequate knowledge of facts. It is possible, however, to 
quote the highest authority relative to the American and the 
French campaign against Newport, in which Gen. Washington, 
in a general order, entirely concurred: 

On September 9, 1778, the following resolutions were passed 
by the Continental Congress: 

'* Resolved, That the retreat made by Maj. Gen. Sullivan, 
with the troops under his command, from Rhode Island, was pru- 
dent, timely and well conducted, and that Congress highly ap- 
proves of the same. 

"Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be given to Maj. 
Gen. Sullivan and to the officers and troops under his command, 
for their fortitude and bravery displayed in the action of August 
29, in which they repelled the British forces and maintained the 
field. 

" Resolved, That Congress have a high sense of the patriotic 
exertions made by the four Eastern States on the late expedition 
against Rhode Island. 

"Resolved, That His Excellency Count D'Estaing hath 
behaved as a brave and wise officer, and that His Excellency and 
the officers and men under his command have rendered every 
benefit to these States which the circumstances and nature of the 
service would admit of, and are fully entitled to the regards of 
the friends of America." 

The patriots who fought, bled and died, in this momentous 
action of the Revolution did not struggle in vain. They and 
their comrades on many other bloody fields gave us the priceless 
liberties of the Great Republic. Greater freedom of personal effort 
under just laws than had theretofore been known, resulting in 
prosperity that is the wonder of the world. 

13 



The admiration of competitors is seldom expressed. Ameri- 
ca's success, however, has caused our English friends serious re- 
flection. It is certainly not often that a statement so plain and 
pertinent, so unmistakably inspired by the grandeur of 
the Great Republic, coming from a recognized authority in the 
heart of our great competitor, can be quoted. It is gratifying to 
submit the following statement from the London Daily Telegraph 
of September 9th, 1903: 

" A century ago about 4,000,000 white people lived 
in the United States, or approximately as many as live 
at present in Bulgaria. At that time Great Britain had 
17,000,000 inhabitants, and in wealth the United States 
stood in about the same relation to Great Britain as Bul- 
garia occupies at the present day. Since then the rela- 
tive position has greatly altered. At present the United 
States have about 80,000,000 inhabitants, as compared 
with only 42,000,000 inhabitants of these islands, and 
the United States are unquestionably the most powerful, 
the most prosperous, and industrially the most progres- 
sive country in the world 

"Such progress in power, wealth, and numbers 
stands unparalleled and unapproached in the history of 
mankind, and it should afford cause for serious reflection 
to all who desire to see a similarly splendid development 
of the British Empire in the future." 

Our unequalled heritage impels us to jealously preserve the 
memory, to faithfully honor the saciifices, and to glory in the 
success, of the heroes of the Revolution. 

" Death for their country, death for freedom's cause, 
The smoke of battle for their honored shroud, 
A greatful nation, and the world's applause 
Are all they ask as, sinking to their rest. 
Their eyes refreshed reopen on the blest." 



14 



SOCIETY NOTES 



Editorial 

The paper which, through the 
courtesy of Gov. Lippitt, we are 
enabled to present in this number, 
is one of which we, as a Society, 
may well feel proud. Many ac- 
counts of the Battle of Rhode 
Island have been printed, a most 
interesting one by Mr. Meyer hav- 
ing appeared in a previous copy 
of the Bulletin, but we think it 
safe to say that Gov. Lippitt has 
exceeded all previous historians in 
carefulness of preparation and ful- 
ness of detail. 

We desire to thank the au- 
thorities for permitting us to use 
the Representative Chamber for 
the two public meetings of the 
Society, while our new building is in 
process of erection. 

The new building is progressing 
satisfactorily though when it will 
be finished is impossible to say, 
probably in a few weeks. It is 
now sufficiently advanced to show 
its proportions and to give assur- 
ance of ample space for the Socie- 
ty's work for years to come. 

At the regular August meeting 
of the Society a most interesting 
address upon Patriotism was de- 
livered by Dr. Nicholas Murray 



Butler, President of Columbia Uni- 
versity, and the Society takes great 
pleasure in printing it in a separate 
pamphlet. 

New Members 
Elected since the last Bulletin. 

life members 
Mrs. Robert Ives Gammell 
Mrs. Whitney Warren 

SUSTAINING members 

Mrs. Neilson 

Mrs. Roderick Terry 

ANNUAL MEMBERS 

Mrs. R. Livingston Beeckman 

Mrs. Jerome C. Borden 

Rear Admiral Austin M. Knight 

A. C. Landers, Jr. 

Mrs. Lauterbach 

Charles Warren Lippitt, Jr. 

Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Covell 

Mr. Harrison J. Morris 

J. Henry Reuter 

Mrs. John Thompson Spencer 

Mr. and Mrs. Harry G. Wilks 

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 

Robert Benson 

Mrs. Beverly R. Dudley 

Miss Lena H. Clarke 

Mrs. Leiber 

Miss Leiber 

Frank L. Peckham 



15 . 



The Building Fund 
Total contributions to Building 
Lind, in gifts and pledges, ^8,625. 
Com. Arthur Curtiss James has 
:nerously agreed to contribute 
ilf the necessary amount, and 
IS already paid ;^5,ooo. 
Contributors to the Building 
Lind since the last Bulletin. 
idge Darius Baker $5.00 

dwin S. Burdick, Esq. 5.00 

rs, John R. Drexel 25 00 

r. Gibson Fahnestock 50.00 

r. and Mrs. Daniel B. Fear- 
ing 20.00 
rs. James B. Forsyth 5.00 
r. William B. Franklin 5.00 
rs, Robert Ives Gammell 25.00 
. O. Havemeyer 5.00 
rs. Henry Barton Jacobs 25.00 
om.ArthurCurtissJames 5,000.00 
r. John Jencks 5.00 
eorge Gordon King, Esq. 25.00 
iss Ellen F. Mason 100.00 
rs. E. J. Pattison 50.00 
r. Frederick S. Peck 1000 
r. Marsden J. Perry 10.00 
rs. Edward Potter 1000 



Mrs. John Ridlon ;^ 10.00 

Mrs. George E. Sage 5.00 

Mrs. George S. Scott 10.00 

Miss Helen F. Smith 3.00 

Mrs. Nathaniel Smith 5.00 
Miss Elizabeth H. Swinburne 10.00 

Mrs. Nathaniel Thayer 25.00 

Miss Sarah C. Weaver 25 00 

Gen. John H. Wetherell 5.00 

SALE OF BRICKS 

Mrs. J. Stewart Barney 2.00 

Miss Eva Brightman i.oo 

Dr. F. D. Chester i.oo 

Miss Cora Gosling i.oo 

Mrs. I. Goodwin Hobbs .50 

Mr. Allen P. Hoard i.oo 

Mrs. Lauterbach i.oo 

Mr. Wm. H. Lee 2.00 

Mr. Charles W. Lippitt, Jr. i.oo 

Mr. Alexander F. Lippitt i.oo 

Mr. Gorton Thayer Lippitt i.oo 

Howard B. Perry 1 .00 

N. Taylor Phillips 5 00 

Mrs. David T. Pinniger 2.00 

Mr. Dwight Tracy i.oo 

Mrs. Alfred Tuckerman 25.00 

Miss Susan J. Weaver i.oo 




OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

For the year eliding May^ igi6 



President, HON. DANIEL B. FEARING 
First Vice-President, REV. RODERICK TERRY, D. D. 

Second Vice-President, MR. FRANK K. STURGIS 

Third Vice-President, MR. ALFRED TUCKERMAN 

Recording Secretary, MR. JOHN P. SANBORN 

Corresponding Secretary, MR. GEORGE H. RICHARDSON 

Treasurer, MR. HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. 

Librarian, MISS EDITH MAY TILLEY 

Curator of Coins and Medals, DR. EDWIN P. ROBINSON 

Board of Directors 
THE OFFICERS and 

FOR THREE YEARS 

MRS. C. L. F. ROBINSON REV. GEORGE V. DICKEY 

MR. JONAS BERGNER MR. LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE 

FOR TWO YEARS 

MRS. HAROLD BROWN DR. WILLIAM S. SHERMAN 

MRS. RICHARD C. DERBY MR. JOB A. PECKHAM 

FOR ONE YEAR 

MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON MR. HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 
MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT MR. GEORGE L. RIVES 



BULLETIN 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

Number Nineleen NEWPORT, R. I. July, 1916 

ANNUAL MEETING 

There was a large attendance at the Annual Meeting May 24th, 
the interest attaching to the opening of the new building serv- 
ing to bring together many members. 

Pres. Daniel B. Fearing opened the meeting with a few words 
of congratulation and welcome. The Reports were read, and are 
recorded in the following pages. Four new members were elected 
to the Society. The Chairman of the Building Committee then 
turned over the new building to the President; after a short state- 
ment of the different stages in the progress of the work of obtain- 
ing the money, and of erecting the structure, stating that in 
the fall of 1914 Mr. James having made his generous offer of half 
the amount needed, the members were invited to subscribe their 
half, which within six months they had so nearly accomplished, 
that the Building Committee was appointed, the Architect Mr. 
Joseph G. Stevens, 2nd, engaged, and the work begun, with the 
result that there has been added to the buildings of the Society a 
fire-proof structure containing offices and newspaper room on 
the first floor, and large exhibition rooms on the second and third 
floors, as well as a needed addition to the Library room. 

The Society seems now to possess all the space which it is 
likely to need for many years. 

After the reception of the building by the President, the 
officers whose term of office expired at that meeting were all re- 
elected. An interesting address upon the Value of Fire Proof 
Buildings was then made by Hon. Herbert O. Brigham, State 
Record Commissioner of Rhode Island. Tea was served after 
adjournment, by Mrs. Daniel B. Fearing and her sister, Miss 
Strong. 

Edith M. Tilley, Clerk. 



ANNUAL REPORTS 



Report of the Secretary 

To the Officers and Members of the Newport Historical Society: 

Since the annual report of May 25, 1915, the Society has 
held three meetings. The usual February meeting was omitted on 
account of the building operations. 

The following addresses have been presented: 
August 16, 1915, "Patriotism," by Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, 

President Columbia University. 
Sept. 25, 1915, "The Battle of Rhode Island," by Ex-Governor 

Charles Warren Lippit, of Providence and Newport. 
December 13, 1915, "The Rambles of a Nature Lover in Eng- 
land," by Mrs. James L. Tryon of Boston. 

All of these meetings were held in the State House, and the 
attendance at each was exceptionally good. 

At the midsummer meeting, a social hour followed the ad- 
dress, and tea was served by Mrs. C. L. F. Robinson, Mrs. 
Richard C. Derby, Mrs. Grosvenor, and Mrs. Alfred Tuckerman. 
They were assisted by the Misses Simpson, Mackie, Lockrow 
and Austin. 

The Directors have held 9 meetings, at which the routine 
business and that connected with the new building have been 
transacted. 

52 members have been elected this year. 

13 members have deceased, as follows: 
Charles H. Greene, Battlecreek, Mich. ; Wm. R. Hunter ; Edward 
C. Post ; Samuel McAdam ; Francis S. Barker ; Mrs. Stuyvesant 
Fish ; Dr. Dwight Tracy ; James LeBarou Willard ; Robert 
Tilney ; Miss Caroline O. Jones; George H. Carr ; Albert K. 
Sherman ; Egerton L. Winthrop. 

The Society now numbers 431. 

Respectfully submitted, 

John P. Sanborn, Secretary. 



Report of the Treasurer 

Henry C. Stevens, Jr., in account with the Newport His- 
torical Society, from May 25, 19 15 to May 24, 1916. 

General Fund. 

Balance 1915 . . . $ 16.27 
Received from State of Rhode 

Island . . . 1000.00 
Received from City of New- 
port, for old records . 582.00 
Dividends . . . 142.60 
Dues .... 1384.00 
Gifts and sale of old furnace 350.30 



Total 


, 


. 


^3475-17 


Expenditures. 








Salaries, librarian, 


assistant 


and janitor . 




. 


$1864.00 


Interest 




. 


300.12 


Fuel . 




. 


200.25 


Gas and telephone 




. 


47.27 


Printing and postage 






128.15 


For City of Newport, 


old 


rec- 




ords account 




. 


582.00 


Expense of buildings, 


, inc. 


in- 




su ranee, supplies 


, etc 


. 


339-65 


Balance 






13.73 


Total 


^3475.17 


Book Fund. 








Balance, 1915 




. 


$ 47.83 


Interest 




* 


180.80 


Total 


$328.63 


Expenditures. 








For care and purchase 


of books 




and manuscripts 




. 


$161.84 


Balance 




* 


66.79 


Total 


$228.63 


Building Fund. 








Amount raised . 




$20,058.00 


Expended . 




• 


19,581.77 



Balance May 24 . $476.23 



Report of the Librarian 

The Librarian respectfully submits her sixth annual report 
to the Officers and Members of the Newport Historical Society. 

Four hundred and forty-nine books and pamphlets and many 
manuscripts and newspapers have been added to the library, beside 
several collections not yet listed, as well as a number of relics to 
the musem. During all the year, the library staff has been work- 
ing under difficulties. The relics have been packed away, and 
books and newspapers piled in every available space; even the 
desk of the librarian has been so surrounded that much of the 
time it could not be reached. The routine work, however, has 
been continued, the accessions have been entered, and although 
the reading room is still out of commission, we have been able to 
take care of most of the searchers, disappointing only the visitors 
who came merely to view the relics. 

Six hundred and eighty-four letters of information have been 
received and answered, and many more written in regard to the 
improvements, etc. Much of the correspondence is now in the 
charge of the Assistant Librarian. 

During a fortnight in the early winter, when the building 
was temporarily closed during the installation of a new heating 
equipment, the Librarian and her assistant spent a part of each 
day in photographing many old doorways about town. These 
photographs form the nucleus of a collection to which we hope 
all the members will contribute. Photographs or any information 
concerning old houses and doorways of Newport will be gladly 
received and carefully filed. 

One of our chief acquisitions this year is the door frame of 
the house on Franklin street, last owned by Mr. Charles Dadley, 
and recently purchased by the United States Government for the 
new post office site. Mr. Ball, who received the contract to re- 
jnove the buildings, has permanently placed the doorway here, 
and Mr. Dadley has presented the old door, and a knocker formerly 
belonging to the Thayer or Vernon house on Church Street. 
This house is no longer old in appearance, but contains within 
the outer shell, two sets of old walls. 

The origin of the Franklin Street house is as yet unknown, 
and the librarian is devoting all her spare time to the search for 



date and the name of the first owner. The old deeds are so in- 
complete that the owners of this property can be traced only to 
1785, when the heirs of Benj. Borden sold it to Richard Bourke, 
who had purchased it of Jeremiah Greene, date unknown. In 
tracing the boundaries, little more is ascertained, except that in 
1 77 1 a Proud is given as the owner. The Coggeshalls owned the 
land almost surrounding this piece, so that it is possible, even 
probable, that our door frame was attached to an old Coggeshall 
house. The frame itself is about 100 years old, and as an Edward 
Peterson purchased the house and land in 1797, and another 
Edward Peterson sold them in 1836, shall we call it a Peterson 
doorway? Rev. Edward Peterson, whom you all know as the 
author of the " History of Rhode Island " certainly lived there, 
and it is believed that parts of this interesting book may have 
been written in this house. We hope to discover yet more infor- 
mation concerning both the door frame and door. 

The chief work of the Librarian this year has been connected 
with the improvements. From a few moments after eight in the 
morning, until late in the day, most of her time has been spent 
in superintending the changes, while all available hours have been 
used for mental calculations. Since we are somewhat limited as 
to funds, a great deal of figuring has been necessary to obtain the 
result you see to-day — much figuring and careful planning. 

The cordial co-operation of the Directors and members, and 
the ever ready assistance of the library staff, have been a great 
support and inspiration. The sincere thanks of the librarian are 
hereby tendered to them all. 

The sections in the library have been rearranged, to secure 
more space for books. The newspapers have been placed on their 
stacks, and will be arranged as soon as possible ; also the books 
and magazines in the reference room. 

The restoration of the old town records in our custody is pro- 
gressing. Comparing the index cards has been started, and Miss 
Katherine Stevens has been added to the staff engaged in this 
particular work. 

The old meeting-house has already been rented to several 
societies, and probably other good rentals may be secured, to 
increase our income. 

Now that we have a fire-proof building, with a capacious 



vault, for the safe-keeping of relics, newspapers, manuscripts, etc., 
it is hoped that all our members will take a special interest in 
adding to our already valuable collections. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Edith M. Tilley, Librarian. 
May 25, 1916. 



Report of the Building Committee 

To the Officers and Members of the Newport Historical Society: 

The Building Committee has held no formal meetings this 
year, and the chief work of the sub-committee has been watching 
the progress of the building operations, conferring with the archi- 
tect, and reporting to the Directors. During the Winter, the 
snb-committee has been somewhat handicapped by the necessary 
absence from town of three members, and the work of superin- 
tendance has devolved mainly upon the two remaining members, 
Mr. George H, Richardson and your librarian. To Mr. Richard- 
son's knowledge of construction and his great interest in our So- 
ciety we owe much. 

Just a year ago, the corner-stone of the new three-story struc- 
ture was laid. Today, we can show you a building practically 
complete, except for a few finishing touches. 

The painting was delayed m order that the walls might dry 
thoroughly, and during the six months since the plastering was 
finished the process of drying has been carefully watched and 
assisted. This necessary delay has prevented us from entirely 
completing the work. 

It is a pleasure to report to you that the new building is 
classed as a practically fire-proof structure, and that the old meet- 
ing-house has been enclosed in brick, roofed with slate, and 
further safe-guarded by iron shutters. 

Metal covered doors have been placed between the buildings, 
and we feel that you can now entrust your precious relics to our 
care, with a reasonable degree of safety. 

A new heating plant has been installed, which, during the 
past winter, has heated the three buildings adequately and econ- 
omically, since not quite twenty-three tons of coal have been used- 



This is a very slight increase over the amount used in former 
years, and removes the natural tear that our building plans were 
perhaps too ambitious and might greatly increase the current 
expense. 

Electric lights have been installed in all three buildings, and 
the fixtures were chosen by the librarian and approved by the 
Directors. 

The meeting house has been throughly renovated and 
painted, and provided with new shade curtains, a hard wood floor 
for the gallery, cork linoleum for both floors (which will be laid 
as soon as the mechanics leave) and equipped with new white 
chairs. 

In the front building, a few changes had to be made, incident 
to the removal of the newspaper collection to the new building. 

A metal covered partition now divides the old newspaper 
room into a small entrance hall and a Directors' Room, in which 
visitors may converse without fear of interrupting workers or 
readers. 

There are now three good basements, in which unused parts 
of our collections may be stored and examined when necessary. 

All this has been accomplished at a comparatively small ex- 
pense, and your committee realizes that if we had waited even a 
few months longer, the cost would probably have been prohibi- 
tive, for the price of labor and materials has been continually 
soaring higher, and in the case of several purchases, a later deci- 
sion would perhaps have lost us the articles, and certainly would 
have prevented us from equipping the buildings so conveniently 
at this time. 

For these reasons, it seemed wise to add the electric lights in 
the 1902 building now, to purchase shades for all the buildings, 
and to equip the building with as much metal furniture as possi- 
ble, for the price of metal alone has advanced several times since 
our fixtures and fnrnishings were ordered. Later, we hope to 
add more metal shelving. 

As reported last year, it is due to the kindness of Commodore 
Arthur Curtiss James that we were able to start our fund for this 
work. He gave us the very generous sum of $10,000, provided 
that we would meet this with an equal amount. We have accom- 
plished this, having raised together with Mr. James' gift, $20,058, 



with additional pledges of $217; total amount $20,275. This 
amount has been sufficient to erect the new building, but not 
quite enough to equip it and make the necessary changes in the 
other two buildings, about $1200 being needed to complete this 
work. Two hundred and fourteen members have contributed to 
the building fund, and if each of the remaining two hundred and 
seventeen would help only a little, the necessary amount would 
easily be raised. The sums expended to date are as follows: 



New Building. 




Contract 


$16099.76 


Architect 


1410.00 


Electric Lights 


. 113.22 


Boiler .... 


. 400.00 


Radiation, etc. 


. 324.00 


Metal & Plumbing . 


• 79-00 


Total 


$18425.98 


Meeting House. 




Painting 


. $171.00 


Electric Lights 


. 328.40 


Heating system 


. 175.00 


Repairs 


. 51-95 


Chairs .... 


. 130.00 


Total 


. $856.35 


Front Building 




Electric Lights 


'$^79A5 


Renovating & repairing 




newspaper room, 




Offices etc . 


. 119.99 


Total 


. $299.44 



Total Expenditures . $19581.77 

Having searched in many Historical Societies and record 
offices, and almost from childhood having served as assistant in 
the work of this Society and of the Record Commissioner of this 
State, and for the past five years as your executive officer, the 
writer has tried to produce practical results from these experiences 



and to perceive the needs of this Society from a three-fold point 
of view; and the Committee has, as far as possible, carried out the 
ideas thus formed. 

It is with great pleasure, therefore, that this report is pre- 
sented, and sincere thanks are given to the architect, contractor, 
and to all who have helped in any way. 

Respectfully submitted, for the Committee, 
Edith M. Tilley 

Secretary, Building Committee. 



Book Notes 



Considerable interest has been created in historical circles by 
the book upon John Clarke published by Mr. Bicknell of Provi- 
dence. In his arguments to prove that at Portsmouth and New- 
port there was made the first establishment in history of a civil 
government with liberty of religious belief, we should all feel 
the deepest interest. If his arguments should prevail, and be 
not disproved, it would indeed be a cause of great pride to all New- 
porters. 

The Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities 
devotes its Bulletin of January 1916, to Newport ; containing an 
illustrated article on the old Market building on Washington 
Square by Norman Morrison Isham ; and one on Peter Harrison, 
the Architect, by Samuel Francis Batchelder. Would that all 
the citizens of Newport could be aroused to the importance of the 
preservation of the old Market, so earnestly advocated in this 
magazine. 



SOCIETY NOTES 



The Society having taking formal 
possession of the new building, our 
valuable collections will soon be 
placed upon exhibition in their new 
house, and an early date in August 
has been decided upon as opening 
day, when we hope to surprise our 
members, many of whom have little 



appreciation of their extent or value. 
This is our first Bulletin since 
October 1915; as we have been 
prevented by the condition of our 
rooms, and the great pressure of work 
placed upon the Society's Statf, from 
providing papers at the usual meet- 



The Present Membership of the Society 



LIFE MEMBERS 

Allen, John B. 

Allen, William 

American Jewish Historical Society 

Auchincloss, Mrs. Hugh 

Batonyi, Aureil 

Belmont, August 

Belmont, Perry 

Bergner, Jonas 

Birckhead, Mrs. William 

Brown, Mrs. Harold 

Caswell, William J. S. 

Connolly, Thomas B. 

d'Hauteville, Mrs. Grand 

Derby, Mrs. Richard C. 

Fahnestock, Gibson 

Fearing, Daniel B. 

Fearing, Mrs. Daniel B. 

Fearing, George R. 

Gammell, Mrs. Robert Ives 

Gammell, William 

Gerry, Com. Elbridge T. 



Gibbs, Mrs. Theodore K. 
Goelet, Robert 
Grosvenor, Miss Rosa A. 
James, Com. Arthur Curtiss 
James, Mrs. Arthur Curtiss 
King, George Gordon 
King, Mrs. David 
Lorillard, Louis L. 
Marquand, Prof. Allen 
Marquand, Henry 
Mason, Miss Ellen 
Mason, Miss Ida 
McLean, Edward B. 
McLean, Mrs. Edward B. 
Moriarty, George Andrews, Jr. 
Peck, Frederick S. 
Peckham, Job Almy 
Powel, Thomas Ives Hare 
Richardson, Mrs. Thomas 
Rives, George L. 
Safe, Mrs. T. Shaw 
Sherman, Mrs. W. Watts 
Smith, Miss Esther Morton 



lO 



Swan, James A. 
Swan, Mrs. James A. 
Taylor, H. A. C. 
Taylor, Henry R. 
Thayer, Mrs Nathaniel 
Tilley, Edith May 
Tompkins, Hamilton B. 
Tuckerman, Alfred 
Tuckerman, Mrs. Alfred 
Vanderbilt, Mrs. 
Vanderbilt, Mrs. French 
Vernon, Mrs. J. Peace 
Warren, George Henry 
Warren, Mrs. Whitney 
Webster. Hamilton Fish 
Wetmore, Hon. George P. 
Wildey, Mrs. Anna C. 



Neilson. Mrs. 
Norman, Mrs. Bradford 
Norman, Guy 
Pierson, Gen. J. Fred 
Potter, Mrs Edward T. 
Redmond, Henry 
Rives, Dr. William C. 
Robinson, Mrs. C. L. F, 
Schreier, Eugene 
Spencer, Mrs. Lorillard 
Sturgis, Frank K. 
Tailer, T. Suffern 
Terry, Rev. Roderick 
Terry, Mrs. Roderick 
Van Alen, J. J. 
Weaver, Miss Sarah C. 
Webster, Mrs. Hamilton Fish 



SUSTAINING MEMBERS 

Berwind, Mrs. Edward J. 

Bispham, Mrs. George T. 

Brown, Mrs. James J. 

Brown, Mrs. John Nicholas 

Burke-Roche, Mrs. Frances 

Clark, Miss Elizabeth 

Clarke, Mrs. J. Francis A. 

Codman, Miss Martha 

DeForest, George B. 

Drexel, Mrs. John R. 

Duncan, Mrs. Stuart 

Dunn, Mrs. Thomas 

Emmons, Arthur B. 

Glyn, Mrs. WilHam E. 

Grosvenor, Mrs. William 
Havemeyer, H. 0. , Jr. 
Hay den. Col. Charles 
Hazard, Miss Caroline 
Hunt, Mrs. Livingston 
Hunter, Miss Anna F. 
Jacobs, Dr. Henry Barton 
Jenckes, John 
Kernochan, Mrs. James P. 



ANNUAL MEMBERS 

Abney, John R. 
Andrews, Mrs. Walter S. 
Anderson, Dr. Alexander J. 
Armstrong, William A. 
Austin, Amory 
Austin, George B. 
Baker, Hon. Darius 
Bakhmeteff, Madam 
Balch, Mrs. Stephen Elliott 
Baldwin, Frederick H. 
Ball. Alwyn, Jr. 
Barry, Louis J. 
Bates, Mrs. Francis E. 
Beeckman, Mrs. R. Livingston 
Beck, Dr. Horace P. 
Bergman, Isaac B. 
Bliss, Richard 
Borden, Mrs. Jerome C. 
Britton, Miss Selah W. 
Buffum, William P. 
Buflfum, Mrs. Wm. P. 
Bull, Mrs. Charles M. 
Burdick, Clark 



BnrdicK, David J. 

Burdick, Edwin S. 

Burgess, Prof. John W. 

Burlingame, Robert S. 

Burlingham, Hiram 

Biask,. Mrs. Joseph R, 

Cabell, Walter Coles 

Campbell, I>udley E, 

Carr, Leander K. 

Case, Philip B. 

Caswell, John R, 

Chad wick, Mrs. French E. 

Clark, Dr. Philip E. 

Clark, Mrs. Philip E. 

Clarke, Mrs. Wm. P. , Sr. 

Coggeshall, Dr. Henry 

Cole, Charles M. 

Cortazzo, Madame 

Cortazzo, Miss Katherine 

Cottrell, Charles M. 

Covell, William W. 

Covell, Mrs. William W. 

Cozzens, J. Powel 

Creighton, Mrs. J. MeP. 

Darlington, Rt. Rev. James H. 

Davies, Julien T. 

Davis, Rear Admiral Charles H, 

Davis, Mrs. Dudley 

Davis, Galen 

de Canongo, Countess de San 

Esteban 
Dennis, Wm. E. , Jr. 
de Tahy, Prof. Joannes 
Dickey, Rev. George V. 
Downing, George Fay 
Drury, James H. 
Duncan, Stuart 
Dyer, Herbert 
Easton, Arthur H. 
Easton, Charles D. , M. D. 
Easton, Fred W. 
Edgar, Miss Lucille R. 



Ellery, Miss Henrietta 
Elliott, Mrs. John 
Ellis, Miss Helen 
Ellis, Miss Lizzie E. 
Estes, Dr, Nathan A. 
Estes, Mrs. Nathan A. 
Eustis, George Peabody 
Eustis, Mrs. George Peabody 
Fagan, James P. 
Ferry, Mrs. E. Hay ward 
Fish, Stuyvesant 
Ford, Mrs. Thomas G. 
Forsyth, Mrs. J. B. 
Franklin, Miss Ruth 
Franklin, William B. 
Gardner, Mrs. Charles C. 
Garrettson. Frederick P. 
Gillespie, Lawrence L. 
Gillespie, Mrs. Lawrence L. 
Graham, Howard S. 
Green, Arthur Leslie 
Greene, John H. , Jr. 
Greenraan, Mrs John 
Haggin, Mrs. James B. 
Hague, Arnold 
Hammond, Ogden H. 
Hazard, Miss Abby C. 
Hendy, Henry Stuart 
Higbee, Edward W. 
Hill, Mrs. Walter N. 
Hillhouse, Mrs. Charles B. 
Hoffman, Charles F 
Hoppin. Samuel H. 
Horton, Jere W. 
Hosmer, L. H. 
Howard, Mrs. E. W. 
Howland, Mrs. Joseph 
Hughes, Rev Stanley C. 
Hunter, Miss Augusta 
Ingalls, Mrs. John J. 
Ingraham, Phoenix 
Jacobs, Mrs. Henry Barton 



12 



Jones, Rev. J. Andrew 

Jones, Mrs. Pembroke 

Josephs, Mrs. Lyman C. 

Judge, Mrs. Cyril B. 

Kimber, Rev. John S. 

King, Col. Frank P. 

King, Frederick R. 

King, Miss Georgianna G. 

King, Mrs. LeRoy 

King, LeRoy 

Kling, Charles P. 

Knight, Rear Admiral Austin M. 

U.S. N. 
Koehne, Charles H. , Jr. 
LaFarge, Mrs John 
Landers, Albert C. 
Lauterbach, Mrs. 
Lawson, John A. 
Lawton, Mrs. Thomas A. 
Leavitt, Miss Blanche 
Lee, William H. 
Levy, Max 

Lippitt, Hon. Charles Warren 
Lippitt, Mrs. Charles Warren 
Lippitt, Charles Warren Jr. 
Lockrow, Mrs. Harvey J. 
Lorah, James R 
Low, William G. , Jr. 
Luce, Rear Admiral S. B. 
Macomber, Isaac 
Marvin, Miss Elizabeth B. 
Mason, Dr. John J. 
Mason, Mrs. John J. 
MacLeod, Col. William 
McAllister, Miss Louisa Ward 
McCormiok, Michael A. 
McLennan, John K. 
McMahon, Andrew K. 
Morgan, Mrs. Wm. Rogers 
Moriarty, Mrs. George A. 
Morris, Harrison J. 
Morrison, Charles E. 
Murdock, Rear Admiral J. B. 



Naval War College 
Norman, Maxwell 
Norman, Reginald 
Nowell, Mrs. T.S. 
Noyes, Mrs. Boutelle 
'Neill, Thomas J. 
Pattison, Mrs. E. J. 
Pearson, Mrs. Frederick 
Peck, Rev. Charles Russell 
Peckham, Miss Antoinette 
Peckham, Mrs. Felix 
Peckham, Miss Lillian 
Peckham, Thomas P. 
Peckham, Mrs. R. Wallace 
Pepper, Mrs. William 
Perry, Mrs. Henry P. 
Perry, Marsden J. 
Petterson, Gustof L. 
Phillips, Arthur S. 
Phillips, N. Taylor 
Pitman, T. T. 
Powel, Miss Mary E. 
Price, Brig. General Butler D. 
Pumpelly, Prof. Raphael 
Redmond, MissLydia 
Renter, J. Henry 
Reynal, Mrs. E. S. 
Richards, Edgar 
Richardson, George H. 
Ridlon, Dr. John 
Robinson, Dr. Edwin P. 
Robinson, Mrs. Edwin P. 
Russo, Marco 
Sage, Mrs. George E. 
Sanborn, Alvah H. 
Sanborn, John P. 
Sanborn, Mrs. John P. 
Sanford, Dr. A. Chase 
Scott, Mrs. George S. 
Seabury, John C. 
Shanahan, Dennis 
Sheffield. Wm. P. 
Sherman, Mrs. Albert K. 



13 



Sherman, Mrs. B. B. H. 
Sherman, Edward A. 
Sherman, Miss Elizabeth G. 
Sherman, Dr. William A. 
Sherman, Mrs. William A. 
Sherman, Dr. William S. 
Sherman, Mrs. William S. 
Slade, Mrs. Abbott E. 
Slocum, William S. 
Smith, Daniel 
Smith, Mrs. R. Manson 
Spencer, John Thompson 
Spencer, Mrs. John Thompson 
Sprague, Mrs. Frank J. 
Stanhope, Clarence 
Stanton, Dr. N. G. 
Stetson, George R. 
Stevens, Miss Abby 
Stevens, Miss J. Austin 
Stevens, Mrs. Harriet 
Stevens, Henry C. , Jr. 
Stevens, Miss Katharine M. 
Stevens, Miss Maude L. 
Stewart, Anthony 
Stickney, Mrs. Albert 
Stoddard, Dr. William C. 
Stoneman, Michael 
Storer, Dr. Horatio R. 
Sullivan, John B. 
Sullivan, Dr. M. H. 
Swan, Miss Sallie C. 
Swinburne, Miss Elizabeth 
Tanner, Benjamin F. 
Taylor, Grant P. 
Thaw, Benjamin 
Thomas, Miss Harriet 
Thompson. Frank E. 
Underwood, Mrs. Wm. J. 
Van Allen, Mrs.Garett A. 
Van Beuren, Mrs. Michael M,. 
Vanderbilt, Reginald 
Van Rensselaer, Mrs. Schuyler 
Vernon, Miss Elizabeth 



Wanton, Charles A. N. 
Ward, Miss A. Louise 
Ward, Rev. Wm. I. 
Warren, George Henry, Jr. 
Weaver, Mrs. Charles A. 
Weaver. Harry R. 
Weaver, Thomas L. S. 
Wetherell, John H. 
Wharton, Mrs. Henry 
White, Elias Henley 
White, Mrs. Elias Henley 
Whitman, Hon. Charles S. 
Wilder, Frank J. 
Wilks, Harry G. 
Wilks, Mrs. Harry G. 
Wood, Mrs. Henry A. 
Wright, Mrs. Walter A. 

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 

Adams, William F. 
Andrews, Mrs. William, Jr. 
Atkinson, Mrs. Mary 
Angier, Miss Abigail 
Balis, Clarence Wanton 
Benson, Mrs. A. S. 
Benson, Robert 
Bigelow, Francis H. 
Bloch, Rev. Julius 
Bokee, Miss iVIargaret 
Bosworth, Miss Rebecca 
Brackett, Mrs. Charles 
Braman, Mrs. Packer 
Branston, Mrs. Joseph 
Brightman, Miss Eva S. C. 
Brightman, Wm. E. 
Brownell, Miss Ella 
Brownell, Miss Nancy 
Buenzle, F. J. 
Burlingham, Rev. E. J. 
Burlingham, Mrs. Thomas 
Casey, Miss Sophie P. 
Chester, Charles E. 



14 



Chester, Dr. Frank Dyer 
Chinn, Miss E. Bertha 
Clarke, Miss Lena H. 
Congdon, Mrs. Henry B. 
Cottrell, Miss Annie 
Davis, Salmon W. 
Dudley, Mrs. Beverley R. 
du Fais, John 
Fowler, Miss A. Sybil 
Franklin, Mrs. Robert M. 
Goddard, William D. 
Hayes, Robert S. 
Hayes, Mrs. Robert S. 
Hazard, Miss Mary A. 
Holland, Mrs. Katharine B. 
Howard, Mrs. William R. 
Jones, Rev. Wm. Safford 
Lawrence, Mrs. Henry 
Lawton, George P. 
Leiber, Mrs. Hamilton 
Leiber, Miss 
Marsh, Mrs. Herbert 
McCarthy, Miss Alice 
Mead, Mrs. George Whitfield 
Nichols, Miss Matilda 
O'Neill, Eugene C. 
Peckham, Frank L. 
Peckham. Mrs. Frank L. 
Peckham, Mrs Thomas P. 
Perry, Howard B. 
Perry, Mrs. Joseph 
Perry, Thomas Sergeant 
Pinniger, Mrs. David 
Potter, Ralph G. 
Powell, Mrs. Frank 



Richmond, Henry I. 
Rogers, Mrs. Elisha 
Sayer, Miss Mary A. 
Sherman, Miss Annie A. 
Smith, Miss Eliz B. 
Smith, Mrs. Ellen G. Cornell 
Smith, Miss Helen Fairchild 
Stanton, Miss Bessie 
Stanton, William H. 
Staton, Mrs. J. A. 
Stewart, Mrs. John 
Swazey, Miss Jeanette 
Swinburne, Henry H. 
Tetlow, Mrs. Albert 
Thurston, Mrs. George W. 
Titus, Mrs. Harry A. 
Underwood, Mrs. Nicholas 
Vernon, Miss Annie 
Vose, Miss Caroline M. 
Ward, Howard Gould 
Waring, Miss E. B. 
Weaver, Miss Susan J. 
Wharton, Jos. S. Lovering 
Wheeler, Henry 
Whitehead, John M. 
Willard, Miss Mary A. 
Wing, Wm. Arthur 
Wood, Trist 

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 

Life 

Sustaining 
Annual 
Associate 

Total 



61 

40 

250 

87 

438 



OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

For the year ending May^ ^9^7 



President, DANIEL B. FEARING 
First Vice-President, RODERICK TERRY 

Second Vice-President, FRANK K. STURGIS 

Third Vice-President, ALFRED TUCKERMAN 
Recording Secretary, JOHN P. SANBORN 
Corresponding Secretary, GEORGE H. RICHARDSON 
Treasurer, HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. 
Librarian, EDITH MAY TILLEY 
Curator of Coins and Medals, EDWIN P. ROBINSON 

Board of Directors 
THE OFFICERS and 

FOR THREE YEARS 

MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 

MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT GEORGE L. RIVES 

FOR TWO YEARS 

MRS. C. L. F. ROBINSON GEORGE V. DICKEY 

JONAS BERGNER LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE 

FOR ONE YEAR 

MRS. HAROLD BROWN WILLIAM S. SHERMAN 

MRS. RICHARD C. DERBY JOB A. PECKHAM 



■o^^ 

/^.r 



^.■> 



BULLETIN 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

Number Twenty NEWPORT. R. I. August. 1916 

The Scope and Purpose of an Historical 
Society in Newport 

By 
THE HON. WILLIAM PAINE SHEFFIELD 



A Paper read before the Society August 12th, 1916. 

History is the guide to the present and the inspiration of the 
future. In order to make the best use of our surroundings, it is 
necessary that we should know the tendencies and environment of the 
past. The only solid basis of Historical Study is founded on facts, 
accurately and painstakingly ascertained. To preserve these facts and 
to bring them to the attention of the community and of the student so 
that they can be easily found and clearly apprehended is the chief end 
of an Historical Society. 

Newport is a peculiarly rich and attractive field for the historical 
scholar. Nowhere can the sources of our institutions and the habits 
and development of our people be studied to better advantage. It is 
especially fortunate in First: its physical situation, and Second: the 
character of its founders. Its location and equitable climate at the very 
beginning and during every subsequent period of its history, have been 
often commented on. The harbor, easy of access to the sea, at the en- 
trance of that great inland waterway, Narragansett Bay. from the time 



when Nicholas Easton hired the Indians to burn off the bushes in the 
swamp, where Thames Street now is, until the present time, has had a 
great influence in the progress of the city. Bishop Berkeley, it is re- 
corded, was never more agreeably surprised than at the sight of the 
Town and Harbor of Newport. "Around him was some of the softest 
rural and grandest ocean scenery in the world." 

In regard to the mildness of the climate, Dr. Stiles, in his diary, 
records: "Dec. 21, 1772, Thermometer 50° at noon, abroad a fine mild 
day" and Jan. 7, 1773, "Yesterday at dinner, we ate lettuce in the gar- 
den, growing abroad and not in hot beds, so moderate the season. I 
saw and measured a branch of rose-bush of this Winter's fresh growth, 
gathered New Year's Day, about six inches long of which the new 
grown stalk was about four inches and some leaves nearly fully grown." 

Into such a picturesque and fortunate situation and amid such a 
mild and attractive climate were transplanted a body of men selected 
by the stern refinement of persecution from the Puritan Commonwealth. 
Much has been written of the Massachusetts Puritans, how, in order 
that they might enjoy a fuller political liberty and that they might 
worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience, they 
obtained the charter of an English trading Company, left Leicestershire 
in old England and settled l^oston in New England and founded a State. 
There is little doubt that, in the world as it then existed, few people 
had a wider knowledge of the principles of political liberty and a more 
sincere love of religious truth than they. But the Puritan theocracy, to 
say the least, was not attractive and congenial to those who were not in 
entire sympathy with its purposes and its beliefs It was William 
Blackstone, the original settler of Rhode Island who, when the Massa- 
chusetts settlers disturl)ed him in possession of Beacon Hill and Boston 
said that "he had come from England to escape the Lord's Bishops but 
he did not like the Lords Brethern any better." This was the common 
view of all the Rhode Island founders: Blackstone, Roger Williams and 
John Clarke, in succession. 

Whatever love of Hberty and of religious devotion existed in Boston, 
it was nowhere stronger than among the Elders of the First Church and 
the Magistrates of Boston who (including Sir Henry Vane) supported 
Wheelwright and some of whom followed Ann Hutchinson. When 
these were disarmed and banished, these exiles of exiles, refined by the 
persecution of New England, after the persecution of old England, 
founded on this lovely island a community whose story allures and 
attracts the historian to this day as do few other spots. 

Ambassador Bryce has said: "Rhode Island has had a singularly 
interesting and eventful history. All the more interesting because in a 



tiny community the play of personal forces is best seen and the charac- 
ter of individual men give color to the strife of principles and parties. 
Thus, some touch of that dramatic quality which belongs to the cities 
of Greece and Italy recurs in this little Republic on Narragansett Bay." 

William Coddington, John Clarke, John Coggeshall, Nicholas Eas- 
ton and their associates, when they settled through the influence of 
Roger ^Villiams, on this beautiful Island, then recently wrested by the 
Narragansetts from the Wampanoags, builded better than they knew. 
They brought with them a clearer vision of the future and a wider 
sympathy with humanity than anywhere existed in the world. They 
knew from their own bitter experience that man could not enjoy religi- 
ous liberty, unless he was willing to respect and bring that liberty to 
his fellow man. That one could not enjoy civil liberty for himself, 
unless he accorded the same rights to his neighbor and that his neighbor 
was not only his relative and his friend who came from England, but 
also the savage Indian whose land he occupied. They founded a State 
to hold forth the lively experiment of the brotherhood of man founded 
upon religious freedom which made possible the union of the Colonies 
under the Constitution of the United States. They supported those 
principles of equality upon which the French Revolution and the de- 
velopment of free people everywhere has been based. 

Here in this mine of historical study, not neglected but not fully 
exploited, lies much that would enable one to understand more fully 
the development of our Institutions and the History of our Country. 

Here was founded the first free State, in the words of John Clarke 
"To hold forth a lively experiment that a most flourishing Civil State 
may stand and best be maintained with a full liberty in religious con- 
cernments." 

Here was founded a State, the title to whose land was based upon 
the free purchase from the aboriginal owners and whose dealings 
throughout its history with the Indians were marked with justice. 

Here the foundations of the State were placed upon the principle 
of the fullest recognition of the rights of the individual in the civil 
sphere, and thus, to this City, came for refuge those fleeing from every 
kind of oppression. 

Here the historian can trace the development of a State founded on 
such principles; where Commerce followed increase in population; 
Wealth followed Commerce; and Art and Social Intercourse of a free 
people followed Wealth, until hardly anywhere in the eighteenth cen- 
tury could be found a more desirable place to live in than Newport. 

Here the student may trace the beginnings of that conflict which 
ultimately brought freedom to all the Colonies and here, in Colonial 



times; afterwards, before the Civil War and even to the present time, 
have been brought together in close association those of leisure, as well 
as the literary and artistic, from many different parts of this country. 

To illustrate the scope which the past of Newport offers to an His- 
torical Society, one can touch only on a few salient points: 

The intercourse of different races, whether one is dependent upon 
the other or whether they are in diverse stages of civilized development, 
are usually attended with misunderstandings and struggles. Contrary 
to the rule, in the main, the relations of the settlers of Newport with 
the original inhabitants were generally peaceful — an example to the 
other New England colonies. 

These relations were founded on Justice and Fair Dealing and the 
Recognition of Mutual Rights and Obligations. In acquiring land, 
Rhode Island scrupulously extinguished the Indian Titles: not only the 
title of the Major Chieftains, recognized by the tribal traditions as the 
proper authority, but again and again they purchased the rights of oc- 
cupation of each petty Sachem. The Colonists also sought to devise a 
system of jurisprudence to be administered by joint tribunals to secure 
Justice to offending Indians. It was provided: "That if any Indian 
shall be unruly, or will not depart our bowses when they are bidden, 
they are to carry them to the Governour or other Magistrate, and they 
shall be punished according to their demeritt. And further, that for 
any common or small crime he shall receive his punishment according 
to law; and for any matters of greater weight exceeding the value of ten 
fadome of beads, then Miantonomy is to be sent for, who is to come and 
see the Tryal. But if it be a Sachem that hath offended, though in 
smaller matters, then he is also to be sent for, and to see his tryall, and 
Judgment; who hath promised to come." 

One of the most interesting Indian incidents is described in "John 
Easton's Indian War." This book is practically devoted to the single 
incident and it brings out in a strong light both the character of Philip 
of Pokanoket and of the attitude of the R. I. Colonists towards their 
Indian neighbors. Sassicus, a praying Indian, had been killed by 
Phillip's men and his body had been found by the Plymouth people 
when the ice had melted from the pond in the spring and the Plymouth 
people had summoned Philip to come to Plymouth for trial and he had 
refused. Phillip was preparing for the last desperate conflict with the 
Whites. Just before the outbreak, in full war paint at the request of 
John Easton (Gov. 1690-1695) and a committee with him from New- 
port, Philip and his warriors met them near Bristol Ferry. The Rhode 
Island men tried to dissuade Phillip from going to war and offered their 



services as mediators with the Massachusetts people. The narrative is 
interesting as shovs^ing the confidence vsrhich the Indians had in their 
Rhode Island neighbors and the breadth of view of the Indian Chief- 
The Rhode Islanders represented the hopelessness of the War and the 
Indians did not deny it. They depicted the horrors of war and its bar- 
barity; and Philip in a wisdom beyond his time, said "war is the worst 
way of settling disputes." The Rhode Island men suggested "arbitra- 
tion" which the Indians were willing to listen to, provided, any impar- 
tial men could be found. The Committee suggested the Governor of 
New York, and it seemed to them a possible solution if the Plymouth 
people would accept. But the history of our own time repeated itself, 
peacemakers, without authority, could do little and the most bloody 
Indian War resulted. 

At the close of Philip's War, in August 1676, a Court Martial was 
held at Newport "for the trial of Indians charged with being engaged in 
Philip's designs." The record of which has been published (Albany, 
N. Y., Printed by J. Mumsell, 1858). One is impressed with the care 
of the members of this Court, to do justice to the accused Indians and 
to give them the benefit of all the forms of law to which Englishmen 
were entitled. The sentences in the main were just and mild as com- 
pared with the treatment of the Indians by the other Colonies in this 
last great conflict in this locality. 

To the student of Principles of Government and the Forms of 
Institutions which promote Liberty, no field is so attractive as Colonial 
America. Here a people versed in the principles of English Law, de- 
rived from Magna Carta, expounded by Coke and the fathers of English 
Jurisprudence, under different forms of Royal Charters, freed from ex- 
acting supervision, each sought out the development that seemed best 
to promote their welfare. Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies, 
Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia 
and Georgia, all in a diff"erent way worked out their freedom under 
Royal Charters. 

Of all the Colonies, Rhode Island is most interesting. Here was 
founded a pure Democracy and in quarterly meetings the freemen 
assembled controlled the Legislation. Liberty based on the English 
Law was established. In 1647 that wonderful Code of Laws, for its 
day, was adopted and orderly government, with the initiative and 
referendum in the people, was established. But under the leadership of 
John Clarke they did not rest until they had obtained from that corrupt 
Monarch. Charles II, the great Charter of 1663 which secured for all 
time, embodied in the fundamental law, the principle of Soul-Liberty 



and complete freedom in Religious concernments. So free was the 
development of the people in this Colony that there was no marked dif- 
ference in the administration of the executive and the action of the 
General Assembly under the British King and under the American 
Republic. Indeed, the same Royal Charter was sufficient as the funda- 
mental law of the British Colony and the American State. Here were 
worked out many of the forms and principles of Government that were 
embodied in the American Constitution. To preserve the trials which 
brought out the application of these principles to the needs of English- 
men in a new land; to trace the origin of institutions which were de- 
veloped until they became part of the heritage of the nation is the func- 
tion of the historical student and of an Historical Society. 

"The Individualism of Rhode Island based as it was on that which 
was spiritual, on the Soul Liberty of Roger Williams and the "inner 
light" of Antinomians, Anabaptists and Quakers, could not, under favor- 
ing conditions but flower forth in idealism. Beginning with 1729 these 
conditions were supplied at Newport by the development there of 
wealth through commerce and by the presence there, for a time, of the 
greatest idealist among English Philosophers — George Berkeley, Dean 
of Londonderry. So writes an historian who has shown much sym- 
pathy with Rhode Island: 

Many of the richest memories of this period gather around Berkeley, 
Dean of Londonderry. The "New England Weekly Commoner" 3d of 
February, 1729, has this dispatch: "Newport, January 24, 1729. Yes- 
terday arrived here, Dean Berkeley of Londonderry in a pretty large 
ship. He is a gentleman of middle stature, of an agreeable, i)leasant 
and erect aspect. He was ushered into the Town with a great number 
of gentlemen to whom he behaved himself after a very complaisant 
manner. 'Tis said he proposes to tarry here with his family about 
three months." 

When Berkeley's ship appeared off Block Island, he sent at once a 
letter announcing his arrival to Mr. Honeyman, Minister of Trinity 
Church, which was received by Mr. Honeyman, while preaching on 
Sunday. "The Church was dismissed with the blessing and Mr. 
Honeyman, with the wardens, vestry, church and congregation, male 
and female, repaired immediately to the Ferry Wharf, where they 
arrived a little before the Dean, his family and friends." Newport was 
fortunate in having a visit from such a man. This man, so honored by 
Newporters, was one of the purest and most upright of his generation. 
"In an age more material than any that had preceded or has followed 
it, he steadfastly upheld the ideals of a higher life and refused to 
acknowledge that a nation or an individual could be said to prosper 

6 



because of mere worldly advancement." He conceived a plan for found- 
ing a University at the Bermudas from which a Christian civilization 
might be spread through the American Continent. He, almost alone 
of his contemporaries, seemed to grasp the great future that lay open to 
America; and with prophetic vision, he saw the great Western Em])ire 
that was to be. The charm of that "handsome face beaming with 
intelligence and goodness" had for a time so fascinated the worldly and 
cynical Court of Queen Caroline, that it seemed as if he were about to 
obtain from the Crown and Parliament a Grant of 20,000 pounds for 
the College he proposed in the Bermudas, "for piety and learning; 
where the colonial and native youths of America" should be trained as 
scholars and missionaries, a purpose which the Court must have 
thought wholly Utopian. While awaiting this grant, he sought in 
Rhode Island a retreat to prepare for what he expected to be his life 
work. 

A countryman of Berkeley has thus described the place to which 
he came: "Newport was then a flourishing town, nearly a century old, 
of the first importance and an emporium of American commerce. It 
was in those days the maritime and commercial rival of New York and 
Boston. Narragansett Bay formed its outer harbour; and the inner 
harbour apon which the Town was built was well protected from the 
Ocean. It was a natural place for the President of St. Paul's to choose 
as a basis of his operations." 

The Island in 1729 contained about 18,000 inhabitants; of these 
1,500 were negros — freeman and slaves; a few native Indians, too. might 
still be seen on the Island. Newport was then a rich centre of foreign 
and domestic trade. "Its early wealth may be explained by several 
causes. The salubrity of the climate drew strangers from the Continent 
and from the West Indies; its harbor gave security near the open Ocean; 
the spirit of religious toleration, which reigned in the Island made it 
then in America, what Holland was in Europe at the end of the Seven- 
teenth Centur}'. Jews and Quakers, prosecuted elsewhere, flourished 
in Newport in peace. The Island was crowded with religious refugees, 
who professed often, the most fantastic beliefs. The white inhabitants 
were of many religious sects, Quakers, Moravians, Jews, Episcopalians, 
Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Sixth Principle and Seventh Princi- 
ple Baptists and many others besides." 

With Berkeley, besides his recently married wife, came Smibert, 
the painter, and Berkeley's two learned and elegant friends, Sir John 
James and Richard Dalton, Esq. With great amusement, these two 
friends described the inhabitants as they found them: "In one thing 
the different sectaries at Newport, both men and women, all agreed in, 



a rage for finery. The men in flaming scarlet coats and waist-coats, 
laced and fringed with brightest glaring yellow. The sly Quakers not 
venturing on these charming coats and waist-coats yet loving finery, 
figured with plate on their sideboards. One, to the no small diversion 
of Berkeley, sent to England, and had made on purpose, a noble large 
teapot of solid gold, and inquired of the Dean, when drinking tea with 
him, whether Friend Berkeley had ever seen such a 'curious thing.' 
On being told that silver ones were much in use in England, but that 
he had never seen a gold one, Ebenezer replied: — 'Aye, that was the 
thing; I resolved to have something finer than anvbody else.' They say 
that the Queen (Caroline) has not got one. The Dean delighted his 
ridiculous host by assuring him that his was an unique; and very happy 
it made him." 

When Berkeley first arrived, he stopped with his wife in Town. 
Mr. Honeyman, who was the Missionary from the English Society, 
seemed to have been his earliest friend, who came to Newport in 1704, 
as the Missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. 
Trinity Church had been completed only a few years before Berkeley 
arrived. Here Berkeley preached three days after his arrival and from 
time to time during his stay. All sects, it seemed, rushed to hear him> 
even the Quakers with their broad-brimmed hats came and stood in the 
aisles. As showing Berkeley's tolerant views of theological diff'erences, 
it was here Updike heard him say emphatically, in one of his sermons, 
"Give the devil his due, John Calvin was a great man." This liber- 
ality of view made him appreciate the religious toleration of Rhode 
Island. He said, "The inhabitants are of a mixed kind, consisting of 
many sorts and conditions of sects. Notwithstanding so many differ- 
ences, here are fewer quarrels about religion than elsewhere, the people 
living peaceably with their neighbors of whatever profession.'' 

In Jul}' or August, 1729, Berkeley moved out into Middletown and 
bought about 96 acres from Captain John Anthony, a native of Wales, 
then a wealthy grazier in Rhode Island, whose daughter afterwards 
married Gilbert Stuart. About the time Berkeley moved into the coun- 
try, Elder Comer writes in his diary: "From Jul}'' 28th to August 7th, 
1729, the heat was so intense as to cause the death of many. Through 
the first nights in August the lightenings were constant and amazing," 
and this may have been one of the reasons contributing to his change 
to life on a farm, though it was, probably, to be near Mr. Honeyman. 
The farm adjoined the Honeyman farm, from which "Honeyman Hill" 
takes its name. Here Berkeley enjoyed practically his first home, at 
Whitehall, which he built. About this time, the records of Trinity 
Church contain this entry: "1729, September 1, Henry Berkeley, son of 



Dean Berkeley, baptised by his father and received into the Church." 
There is later another record in Trinity Church, on the tomb stone of 
Nathaniel Kay, which preserves the personal relation of the Dean with 
Rhode Island: "joining to the South of this tomb lies Lucia Berkeley, 
daughter of Dean Berkeley, obiit the 5th of September 1731." 

Here at VVhitehall Berkeley remained for nearly three years, until, 
disappointed in his great project, he returned to England. When he 
left he gave his Whitehall Estate to Yale, who is its present owner in 
reversion. He is supposed to have done this largely thro his friendship 
for Rev. Dr. Samuel .Tohnson, the Episcopal Missionary in Connecticut. 
Dr. Stiles says, " Dr. Johnson persuaded the Dean to believe Yale Col- 
lege would soon become Episcopal. This, or some other motive, influ- 
enced the Dean to make a donation of his Rhode Island farm, 96 acres, 
with a library of about a thousand volumes to Yale College in 1733. 
This donation was certainly secured very much through the instru- 
mentality of Rev. Dr. Jared Eliot and Rev. Dr. Johnson. The latter, 
in conversation with me in 1753, when I made a funeral oration on 
Bishop Berkeley told me, he himself procured it. He assumed the 
whole glory to himself. Col. Updike of Newport, an Episcopalian, 
intimately acquainted with the transaction, told me the Bishop's mo- 
tive was the greater prospect that Yale College would become Episco- 
palian than Harvard. 

As Newport's Beach and its peaceful surroundings later gave to 
Channing some of the inspiration towards a more sympathetic and 
liberal religious doctrine; so these scenes seemed to inspire Berkeley to 
his best philosophic work, and to his highest ideals. Newport's inspi- 
ration to the Philosopher to do his best work was not less, however, 
than the inspiration which Berkeley gave to the literary development 
of Newport's inhabitants. 

When Berkeley came here, Newport was not free from provincialism 
and snobbery, as we can gather from the pious Quaker, Ebenezer, and 
the story of his solid-gold tea-pot. But from the Philosopher came an 
inspiration to higher ideals. Soon after he settled at Whitehall, he 
took an active part in forming a philosophical society, and he found 
persons not unqualified to consider questions which had long occupied 
his thoughts — clergymen, lawyers, physicians and the enterprising and 
liberal merchants of the Town. Such were, Col. Updike, Judge Scott 
(a grand-uncle of Sir Walter Scott,) Nathaniel Kay (collector of the 
port), Henry Collins, Nathan Townsend, the Rev. James Honeyman, 
and many others, and he attracted here many other like spirits from 
the surrounding colonies. One of the objects of this Society was to 
collect books and, as a result of its existence, Redwood Library was 
founded in 1747. 

9 



Another thing that contributed to the exceptional position of New- 
port in Colonial America was its religious toleration which gathered an 
unusual population. No Prelate of the Church of England at that day- 
could be more in sympathy with Rhode Island Toleration than the 
Irish Dean. A sort of Synod of the Episcopal clergy was held twice a 
year at Whitehall, and he urged upon them the absolute need of concili- 
ation, both of their own hearers and of their neighbors, who differed 
from them. Berkeley seemed to have only one wish in him and that 
was to alleviate misery and diffuse happiness. 

Newport owes to Berkeley much of its subsequent reputation as 
the centre of social and literary activity in America. Dr. Stiles, just 
before the Revolution, enumerated from day to day those who called 
upon him from outside of Newport, and the catalogue of them, if it 
were not too long to enumerate, would give us some conception of how 
cosmopolitan Newport then was. Within a comparatively short period, 
we find such entries, as these: 

" Spend several hours in discourse with a Romanish priest, a 
Knight of Jerusalem or Malta travelling from Hispaniola to Quebec.'' 
"Visited by Messrs. Willard and Hylier, two of the fellows of Harvard 
Col." " Francis Bernard, son of Gov. Bernard, educated in the Univer- 
sity of Oxford." "Mrs. Wilson, an eminent Quaker Preacher, laterly 
from West Chester preached; a pious, sensible woman." " Dr. Husius, 
near Esopus, a learned Dutch minister;" " Rev. Morgan Edwards of 
Phila. ;" "Mr. Zubly, Jr., of Georgia here." "Col. Malbone is a gentle- 
man of politeness and great honor; was educated at Oxford and despised 
all religion, but now is a jealous advocate for the Church of England." 
"Jan. 9, 1770. This afternoon, Hon. Alex. Grant, Esq., returned hereto 
his family after four years' absence at London and Jamaica. Son of 
Sir Alexander Grant of Scotland. Married Oct. 20, 1760 Abigail 
Cheseborough of Newport;" "April 16, 1772. This afternoon, I spent 
at the Redwood Library in company with a French Physician from 
Britagne in France. Educated at the University in Normandy;" "A 
Jew from Lissa, in Poland, Abraham Levi, 44 years of age" etc., &c. 

Amid this culture and wealth were early embodied the seeds which 
resulted in the independence of America. Few contemporary English 
Histories begin the Revolutionary War as we do, at Lexington and 
Concord, but place the origin of the struggles on Narragansett Bay. 

The causes leading to Independence, however, go far back of 1776. 
Early some of the foremost of English Statesmen saw the seeds of the 
coming conflict. The Earl of Sandwich, more than a century before 
the outbreak of the Revolution, commented upon the strength and im- 

10 



portance of New England; and he also, as a wise Statesman, foresaw 
the futility of " roughness and peremptory orders." He made the fol- 
lowing, for that time, remarkable memorandum upon the subject: 

"July 2, 1671 — Upon all the information I have gotten of New 
England, I made up in my owne opinion the result followinge: That 
they are att present a numerous and thrivinge people and in 20 years 
more are likely (if civill warrs or other accidents prevent them not) to be 
mightly, rich and powerfuU and not at all carefull of theire dependance 
upon old England. Whence wee are to fear the inconveniences followinge: 

1. The want of vending our owne manufactures, now carried 
thither (possibly to the value of 50,000 pounds per ann). And more- 
over their servinge the Streights and other parts of the world with 
cloth and the commodities, wee serve them with, and soe our markets 
abroad will be spoiled both in prise and quality of vent. 

2. The Dependance of our Islands of the Caribees and Jamaica 
upon them. For New England serves them with provisions and all 
wooden utensills, much cheaper than any other can. And in likely- 
hood will serve them all other manufactures that wee doe. And con- 
sequently reape the whole benefitt of these colonies. 

3. They will be be masters of the Trade of masts, pitch and tarr 
and other beneficiall commodities in Pascotoway river and all the 
northern colonies. 

I conceive it impossible to prevent wholly their encrease and 
arrivall at this power, nevertheless I thinke it were advisable to hinder 
their growth as much as can be, in order whereunto I can find but 2 
means, viz: — 

1. A law in Parliament against Transporting English families or 
persons to any plantations without license of the King. At present 
40 or 50 families are now goinge yearely thither: 

2. To remove as many people trom New England to our South- 
ern plantations as may be, where the produce of theire labours will 
not be commodities of the same nature with old England to out-trade 
us withall: 

Our principall care then must be to regulate this people and gett 
as much hand in theire government as wee can, to enable us to keepe 
off prejudice from us, as long as wee can. I take the way of rough- 
ness and preemptory orders, with force to backe them, to be utterly 
unadviseable. For they are already too strong to be compelled. 
They have 50,000 trained bands, well armed and disciplined. They 
have shipps of 300 tonus burden and above 20 gunns and can build 
halfe a dozen men of warr yearely (if they will) and though I appre- 
hend them yett not at that point to cast us off voluntarily and of 

11 



choice; yett I beleeve if wee use severity towards them in their 
Government, civvill or religious, that they will (being made desperate) 
sett up for themselves and reject us. (I confessee, as yet informed, I 
doe not in the least apprehend theire need of, or disposition to admitt 
the protection of any other Nation, either French or Dutch, but if 
any, the French rather of the 2, for the likelihood of better usuage 
and power already in America.) 

The onely way that occurrs to mee for the King my Master, to 
have power amongst them is by Policye and faire means to prevent 
the growing power of the Massachusetts Colonye. 

1. One means whereof will be to confine and retrench those 
unlimited bounds they have sett unto themselves by the extravagant 
interpretation of words in their pattent whereby they fetch in all the 
country to the Norwards, as farr as Nova Scotia, and cutt off new 
Albany from the Duke of Yorke's country to the Southward. 

2. Another meanes by preservinge and encouraging the other 
Colonies in power and greatness, to keepe up a divided Interest, in 
order whereunto the difference betweene the Colonies of Rhode 
Island and Connecticutt about bounds neere Pequit river, is to be ad- 
judged to the advantage of Rhode Island, who else will not be able to 
subsist as a Colonic wanting land upon the maine land, upon which to 
discharge themselves of the numerous people they breed every yeare, 
and consequently be lesse able to resist falling under the power and 
Government of the Massachusett Colonye." 

This frank statement of purposes carries the key to much in the 
history of the following century which, otherwise, might not seem 
clear. It contains the outlines of the policy which kept Rhode Island 
Colony from being absorbed by its neighbors and brought those suc- 
cessive decrees of the King in Council, which finally decided, in its 
favor, the "Connecticut boundary dispute" awarding King's County 
to Rhode Island, and again, in 1747 awarded to Rhode Island the 
"five towns" held by Massachusetts, and thus, at last, established its 
undisputed jurisdiction on all the main land about Narragansett Kay. 
It also sets forth the harsh policy of England to the Colonies, directly 
to prevent any manufactures whatever in the colonies, and to limit by 
"Navigation Acts," the growing American Commerce. England's 
policy of repressing Colonial Manufactures was so effective that up to 
the period of the Revolution, no substantial manufactures, except to 
supply home and local demands, existed in the Colonies to protest 
against this policy. On the other hand, the Commerce of the Colo- 
nies was extended, diversified and very profitable. Arthur Hrown in 
his Miscellanies said, "Newport used to send out annually four hun- 

12 



dred sails of shipping, small and large, the chief trade to the West 
Indies and the Coaste of Guinea." The great statesmen and writers 
upon the rights of America, who formulated the grievances of the 
colonies, usually admitted the right of Great Britain to regulate the 
foreign trade of the empire and to pass Navigation Acts. Such acts 
were passed as early as 1733, but not seriously enforced, until the 
grievous burden of taxation upon the English Merchants made then\ 
demand about 1763 from the Government their enforcement, and the 
passage of additional laws extending to the trade with the Spanish; 
Main. 

The enforcement, by seizures and confiscations, of these laws in- 
Narragansett Bay made Newport long for Independence and here 
occurred the first overt acts of resistance to the Crown, naturally 
leading to Lexington and Concord. Arthur Brown of Trinity Col- 
lege, Dublin, born in Newport, the son of the Rector of Trinity 
Church, wrote after the Revolution: "The discontents of America 
are usually dated from the Stamp Act in 1765, but they really origi- 
nated in 1763, immediately after the Peace, from the interdiction of 
their trade with the Spanish Main ; it was the only trade that brought 
specie into the Country and hence no money was seen, except paper^ 
saving half Johannes, dollars, pistareens (a guinea or English Crown 
seldom seen). The depression of the value of paper money was 
greater in Rhode Island than anywhere else ; the paper dollar bearing 
the nominal value of eight pounds. I myself saw one American fort 
fire upon the "Squirrel," the King's Ship in 1764 in the harbor of 
Newport." In this connection we can readily gather the acts and 
feelings of the patriot party from gleanings taken from Dr. Stiles' 
notes. "Liberty Day,'' the anniversary of the King's signing the 
repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766, was celebrated throughout the Colo- 
nies. March 18, 1769, Stiles writes: "This is Liberty Day, cele- 
brated at Newport, Boston and New York." "This anniversary of 
the Stamp Act repeal was celebrated at Newport by the Sons of Lib- 
erty. At the Dawn of Day colours or a large Flag was hoisted & 
displayed on the Top of the Tree of Liberty, and another on the Mast 
of Liberty at the point. At the same time my bell began & con- 
tinued ringing till Sunrise. About nine o'clock A. M. the bell of the 
First Congreg. Chh. began to ring & rang an hour or two. The 
Episc. Chh. bell struck a few strokes and then stopped : The 
Episcopalians being averse to the Celebration. At Noon, the cannon 
were discharged at the point near Liberty pole or Mast. The colors 
were also displayed at the Fort all day, & on some vessels. Towards 
night my bell rang again, & ended at about sunset, when all the 

13 



colours were struck. The Committee of the Sons of Liberty met & 
supped with Capt. John Collins.'' 

The Tree of Liberty was planted at the head of Thames Street 
in 1765 and a copper plate was affixed in 1766 with the record of the 
repeal of the Stamp Act. On the afternoon of March 17, 1770, a 
mast was erected on the Liberty Tree on the Point. This Liberty 
Pole was cut -down in September of the same year to make way tor a 
house that was built on the lot. 

Some of his references to current events are very brief, for fear 
that vengeance may be brought down upon some participating indi- 
vidual. "July 31, 1769, Sloop Liberty burnt." This was a bold act, 
reflecting the virile patriotism of Newporters. It has been styled the 
"first overt act of violence offered to British authorities in America." 
The vessel was scuttled in Newport Harbor on July 17, in revenge 
for her part in detecting violations of the revenue laws, and was set 
on fire on the 31st. This affair was by citizens and resulted in the 
destruction of the vessel, while by the firing on the "Squirrel" in 
1764, little damage was done. The latter was by the gunner in charge 
of the Colony Fort, however, and when the British officer waited on 
the Governor and Council to demand acknowledgment of the insult, 
"They agreed that the gunner had acted by authority, and that they 
would answer for it when they thought necessary." 

Events were happening elsewhere about this time. "March 3, 
1770," Dr. Stiles "read in Boston prints an account of death of a 
young lad, Christopher Snider, aged 11 years, at Boston, on the 22nd 
ult." "the first victim or martyr of American Liberty," This was fol- 
lowed on March 5th, by the Boston Massacre. These events gave 
additional earnestness to the celebration of Liberty Day in 1770, 
although the sentiment of the Town was not always unanimous. "It 
is the aim of Col. Wanton and other Chh. Politicians to confuse the 
Cause of Liberty — Divide & hnpera. They yesterday hoisted Col- 
ours at the Point on the Mast of Liberty, fired one Canon in the 
Morning & two at the Fort in the Evening, at Sunset. The Chh. 
Bell rang in the Even, but no longer. This Monday is the day agreed 
upon by the True Sons of Liby. here & at Boston & New York. Ac- 
cordingly this morning Colours were displayed on the Tree of Liberty. 
The Committee supped in Turn with Henry Merchant, Esqr. All 
the bells rang. Colors also on mast of Lib. at Point & sundry 
Houses." 

In the meantime, " Newport traders had agreed, in concert with 
other American merchants, to refrain from importing British goods at 
this time; consequently, when violations of this agreement were re- 

14 



ported, public meetings were held in Hoston (May i8) and in Phila- 
delphia (May 25) at which it was resolved to break off all dealings 
with Newport until its inhabitants (Who had not expressed their re- 
sentment at this duplicity) should have given full satisfaction.'' 

"May 31, 1770. Yesterday, the Merch'ts. in this town met at 
the courthouse & agreed to store their goods lately imported— to re- 
move the late resolutions of Boston & Phila. to break off all commerce 
with us, & to engage the other Colonies to desist Trad'y with us; 
because we had violated the salutary Non-Import'n Agreement. An 
Instance, that five or six Jews & three or 4 Tories may draw down 
Vengence upon a Country." 

F.ven in those days, selfish interests struggled for recognition and 
political offices were used for political advantage : 

" In the late Combinations of the American Merchants against 
importations &c. and against the exorbitant fees of the customhouses 
— some merchants kept themselves from the combinations. Mr. 
Aaron Lopez a Jew Merchant in this town is one. F*or this the collector 
&c. shew him all lenity and favor. He has about twenty sail of 
vessels and his captains are all exempted from swearing at the custom- 
house, and make their entries &c. without Octth. But the oath is 
strictly exacted of all who were concerned in the Non-Importation 
Agreement. This I was told yesterday by one of Mr. Lopez' captains 
long in his employ. The man o' war yesterday seized his vessel and 
wines by accident and folly of the people, who in 5 row boats werQ 
endeavoring the night before to run 41 quarter casks of wine. The 
vessel and wines will be condemned — but it is said they will be set 
up at a trifle and Lopez will bid them off at far less than duties ; so 
that he shall make his venage good. Favor and Partiality ! And Yet 
these customhouse men are perpetually clamoring on cheating the 
King of his Revenue. The Customhouse in Newport produces 2000 
pounds or 3000 pounds sterling per annum to the Revenue Chest at 
Boston ; — a fortnight ago they shipt 800 pounds sterling to Boston 
and retained 200 pounds for contingencies. There is such a swarm 
of officers, that like the plague of Locusts they devour all before 
them. They very particularly torment the Sons of Liberty and all 
who oppose the Antiamerican Measures of the Parliament and 
Ministry. This summer Mr. Christopher Ellery's vessel fell into 
their hands ; a sailor having a bag of twenty lbs of Tea, this was the 
only thing: He was obliged to go to the Commissioners at Boston 
and it cost him 60 or 80 dollars to get her delivered. I have known 
Collector Dudly refuse a present, a cask of wine, &c. and tell the 
owner (whom he went to befriend) that he was obliged to refuse all 

15 



gratuities and dare not take anything — neither did he from him in 
several voyages. The collector answered his end— this man believed 
it, and trumpetted thro' Town, that the Collector received nothing 
but lawful Fees. Much about the same time, I heard a Captain say 
that his people had wheeled home to the Collector, wines, fruits, &c, 
and they were not rejected nor returned. I have been informed of 
much higher customhouse frauds and peculations. How did Dudly 
get his office ? His father is an Episcopal Clergyman in the West of 
England in some of those diminished towns, where 30 or 40 free- 
holders elect two members of Parliament : The father was the ojnnts 
homo of the Parish and could by his Influence command the elec- 
tion. He set his price, as is said, that his son sh'd have the collector- 
ship of Rhode Island. The Member of Parliament procured it for 
him. Dudley behaves in office as well as any of them ; but bad is 
the best. I would not, for 10 thousand worlds, administer so many 
oaths to known false accounts or be knowingly accessory to the daily 
perjuries which he midwifes into the world of error & sin." 

On June 11, 1772, Dr. Stiles notes, "The Gaspee Schooner was 
burnt off Warwick yesterday mornmg about 2 o'clock and the 
Captain wounded.'' This was a most daring act of resistance to the 
enforcement of the British Navigation Acts and in its consequences 
brought to the party for Independence new principles to support their 
effcrts. The difficulty of America in securing freedom was not so 
much a question of her warlike strength, as the obtaining united and 
effective support from all the colonies, and especially from Virginia 
and the Southern Colonies. With the Stamp Act repealed, the 
Southern Colonies had little interest in the entorcement of the 
Navigation Acts. When England heard of the burning of the Gaspee 
the Government, greatly incensed, issued a Commission to inquire 
into the affair, to apprehend the offenders and to transport the 
accused to England for trial. The authority to transport beyond the 
Seas the accused for trial involved one of the strongest guaranties of 
Liberty and the assertion of such authority by the British Crown 
made one of the most potent forces to bind the Colonies to the im- 
portance of United Action to defend their Liberties. Virginia, soon 
after, passed its Resolutions, which resulted in the appointment of 
Committees of Correspondence and in the ultimate assembling of the 
Continental Congress. Prominent in the Virginia Resolutions, as 
reasons for their passage, were recited the Powers given to the Gaspee 
Commissioners to transport Americans to England for trial ; repug- 
nant to every feeling of law and justice, cherished in the Colonial 
breast. 

16 



To the King's Council, it may have seemed that the attack upon 
the King's ship was an act of war, more within the jurisdiction of a 
Court Martial than of a Court of Common Law, especially as it was 
committed on tide water and not within the limits of any town. 
The learned Judges who held the King's Commission, professed how- 
ever, that they only were a Court of Inquiry and they never intended 
to exercise the powers of transportation for trial. These Commis- 
sioners assembled at Newport, amid the most intense interest, through- 
out all the colonies. 

Dec. 23, 1772: "The Ships of War made a formidable parade 
in the harbor — preparing for the grand Court of Inquiry appointed by 
the King soon to sit here for Examining the affair of burning the 
" Gaspee Schooner'' near Providence last June. The King has 
ordered them to inquire particularly as to Mr. John Brown, Mr. 
Joseph Brown of Providence, Capt. Potter of Bristol and Dr. Weeks 
of Warwick, and if Evidence appear, not to adjudge upon them, but 
deliver them up to Adm, Mortague to be sent to England & take 
Trial there. The fact being infra Comitatus Liviites or within the 
Land Jurisdiction of the Coloney, such a Court takes the Trial out of 
the Vicinage, and the transporting &c. is alarming to the whole Conti- 
nent.'' 

The work of the Commission failed, but the entire " Continent '' 
was convinced that their liberties and welfare were not safe in the 
hands of the British Crown and from Rhode Island, the Acts of 
violence spread into the other colonies, and it was soon that War 
itself had actually begun in 1775. 

First of all the Colonies, Rhode Island recognized that there 
could be no return to England and yet preserve their liberties, and 
she stood ready on May 4, 1776, to strike out the name of the King 
in all writs and repudiate his allegiance and hence forth recognized no 
authority but the State of Rhode Island. 

Few appreciate the true significance of a case tried in our Court 
House here, soon after the close of the Revolution, and which was 
shortly afterwards published. (The case, Trevett vs. Weeden, by 
James M. Varnum, Esq., Providence, printed by John Carter, 1787). 
Because of its wider influence upon the development of our institu- 
tions it may not be inappropriate to refer to it in detail as showing 
the broad scope and possibilities of historical investigation here. 

Trevett against Weeden was tried before the judges of the Su- 
perior Court at Newport at its September term, A. D. 1786. Just 
one year before the Constitution of the United States was submitted 

17 



ti) the people of the several states for adoption. l-5ryce and other 
writers have called attention to the distinctive feature of that great 
instrument, as being the principle that all questions of limitations of 
power and constitutionality of acts are determined in this country by 
the judicial and not by the executive or legislative branches of gov- 
ernment — a principle wholly without existence in any government 
prior to the adoption of the constitution. To Newport and the case 
of Trevett vs. Weeden much credit for the wider understanding of 
the function of a judiciary in a federated constitutional government is 
due. 

Let us look at the setting of the case. Rhode Island had ex- 
hausted its resources in the Revolution. Its citizens had been di- 
vided ; it had been occupied for years by the foe ; its wealthier citi- 
zens had gone to Nova Scotiu or England at the close of the War and 
irredeemable paper money was a curse on the prosperity of those who 
remained. The inflational party in control took desperate means to 
keep the depreciated currency in circulation and passed in rapid suc- 
cession, three acts. 

In May 1786, a new issue of currency of 100,000 pounds based 
upon land security and made legal tender was authorized. In June, 
anybody making a distinction from gold or silver against these new 
notes in the sale of goods was subjected to a penalty of 100 pounds. 
And on the 3rd Monday of August in the same year at a special ses- 
sion, the penalty was lowered to not less than 6 pounds or more than 
30 pounds for the first offence; but the ordinary procedures of justice 
were fundamentally changed. Any judge could try these complaints 
and must dispose of them within three days '-without any jury by a 
majority of the judges present, according to the Law of the Land" 
and said judgment shall be final and conclusive and from which there 
shall be no appeal. 

Upon the last Monday of September 1786 an old Privateers-man, 
John Trevett, tendered in the market at the foot of the parade to 
John Weeden "who within three weeks had been an object of charity 
on the streets of Newport" the depreciated paper money as the equiv- 
alent of gold for meat and upon its refusal brought information under 
the Statute to recover the penalties of the act before Paul Mumford, 
Chief Justice of the Superior Court in Chambers, who, as the Court 
was then in session, referred the matter to the full bench. 

There was argued before the Court one of the most important 
questions ever submitted to a court in this state. Upon its determi- 
nation the value and rights of property of every inhabitant depended 
and the future prosperity of the State. The Act had made it a crime 

18 



for John Weeden to refuse to sell to John Trevett meat at four pence 
a pound, which cost him six pence on the hoof. A most profound 
question was involved as to the rights of justice and trial by jury 
which any individual had, as against an act passed by biased or parti- 
san majorities of the Legislature, and the wider and broader question, 
if this new found liberty which had been wrested from the English 
King should be based on law, administered by an impartial Court. 
To a very great degree the new principle of law, the power of the 
Judiciary to declare and nullify an unconstitutional law, which was to 
become the crown of the New Constitution was to be tried and tested. 
Weeden based his defence upon three points : 

1. that the act had expired; 

2. that the offence was triable summarily before a special court 
and the right of appeal had been taken away ; 

3. that the power of the court to impanel a jury had been taken 
away by the Act, and "so the same is unconstitutional and void." 

The argument upon the last point by the distinguished patriot 
and lawyer, General James M. Varnum, is strong, able and worthy of 
the importance of the occasion. To briefly summarize his points: 
He said there are three distinct sources of power : the Legislative, 
Judiciary and Executive in all free government. From thence may 
be inferred the necessity of a Supreme Judiciary Court to whose judg- 
ments all subordinate jurisdictions must conform. The laws of the 
realm, being the birth right of all the subjects, followed these pious 
adventurers to their new habitation including trial by jury in criminal 
cases. "The attempts of the British Parliament to deprive us of this 
mode of trial were among the principal causes that united the colo- 
nies in a defensive war and finally affected the glorious Revolution." 
The Declaration of rights by the ist Congress, October 1774, is: 
"5th : That the respective colonies are entitled to the Common Law 
of England and more especially to the great and inestimable privilege 
of being tried by their peers of the vicinage, according to the course 
of that law." 

The Legislature under the Charter cannot make Laws repugnant 
to the general system of laws which governed the realm of England. 
The Revolution made no change in this respect so as to abridge the 
means of the people of securing their lives, liberty and property. Ikit 
as the Legislature is the Supreme Power in Government, who is to 
judge whether they have violated the constitutional rights of the peo- 
ple : In last analysis, the people themselves will judge as the only 
resort in the last stages of oppression. Hut "when they proceed no 
further than merely to enact what they may call laws," in the dis- 

19 



charge of the great trust reposed in them and to prevent the horrors 
of Civil War as in the present case, the Judges can and we trust your 
Honors will decide upon them. Nor am I capable of distinguishing 
between an established tyranny and that Government where the Leg- 
islature makes the laws and dictates to the Judges their adjudication. 

"The true distinction lies in this that the Legislature have the un- 
controlable power of making laws not repugnant to the Constitution. 
The Judiciary have the sole power of judging those laws and are 
bound to execute them, but cannot admit any act of the legislature as 
law which is against the Constitution. Indeed I very much doubt if 
the citizens of any one State have power to adopt such a kind of gov- 
ernment as to exclude the trial by jury consistently with the prmciples 
of the Confederation." 

The judges found that "the information was not cognizable before 
them." When the judges were summoned before the General As- 
sembly by whom they were elected to account for their action, they 
boldly asserted their right to pass upon the Constitutionality of the 
Laws in this language : And while to remove misapprehensions, they 
disclaim and totally disavow any least power or authority or the ap- 
pearance thereof to contravene or control the constitutional laws of 
the State or the acts of the General Assembly, they conceive that the 
entire power of construing and judging of the same in the last resort 
is vested solely in the Supreme Judiciary of the State. 

In that hour of internal struggle and weakness under the con- 
federation and until Rhode Island adopted the Federal Constitution, 
the conduct of the Judiciary in Trevett vs. Weeden stands forth as 
the principal hope of the future. 

The scope of an Historical Society should be as broad as the 
History ot Newport and from these few incidents it may be judged 
low closely its story is associated with the History and Institutions of 
3ur Country and how intimately it is interwoven with the Progress of 
:he Race. 

Many have done their share in making more real, Newport's Past: 
I^allender in his 'Century Discourse;'' Ross again at the end of the 
Second Century, and then that body of investigators from whose en- 
deavors and interest sprang this Newport Historical Society. Dr. 
David King, with his years of patient work and careful gathering of 
naterial, but with all too little of work in published form ; Dr. Henry 
E. Turner that most diligent of genealogists ; Mr. Charles E. Ham- 
nett with his bibliography of Newport, presenting to this Society a 
;tandard; that it should own each book named in that bibliography; 

20 



Mr. George C. Mason with his facile and graceful pen, related to so 
many of the worthies of old Newport and who has left so much of 
value, accessible in print. 

And beyond the members of our Society much has been done. 
Judge Horatio Rogers with his charming volumes on "A Summer 
visit of three Rhode Islanders to the Massachusetts Bay in 165 1," 
and, "Mary Dyer of Rhode Island, the Quaker Martyr that was 
hanged on Boston Common." The late William B. Weeden with his 
volumes on Commerce and Social Conditions in the Colony; Richman 
with his interesting volumes on Rhode Island ; these and many 
others, but open the door. The field is wide and the scope is broad 
and the original materials are varied and constantly by the printing of 
diaries and letters and the discovery or accessibility of new collections, 
the view is enlarging. In this connection we call to mind the recent 
publication by the Massachusetts Historical Society of the Letters of 
Four Generations of Newport Merchants showing the character of the 
Commerce here, 1726 — 1800; a work made possible by the generosity 
and foresight of our fellow townsman, Hon. George Peabody Wet- 
more. (Mass. Historical Society Commerce of Rhode Island, 2 Vol. 
1914— 1915). 

Such a publication brings forcibly to mind the purpose of such 
a Society as this, to preserve the materials for the future Historian. 
Not only documents within our own walls but historical monuments 
should be preserved in the community : One of the most satisfactory 
class of facts for the study of conditions in our Colonial Life is 
furnished in historical buildings and monuments, as well as articles in 
use at that time : Newport is rich in these; The State House on 
Washington Square "the like whereof is not in all the Colonies;" the 
old market on the corner of Long Wharf; the oldest portion of the 
Redwood Library; the Vernon House, the Gibbs House and the 
Brenton House, viewed with proper imagination tell, as few other 
things can, how Newporters lived in the Eighteenth Century. The 
furniture, the articles in daily use, their clothes and the portraits of 
men and women make still more vivid the pictures of the Past. The 
private correspondence and journals show how the people thought 
and acted. The guarding of the public records and vital statistics 
and the education of public opinion to assist to this end are a true 
function of our Historical Society and the indexing and correlating of 
all this material can be accomplished only by such a Society as 
ours. 

The generosity of the friends of this Society have preserved and 
enlarged this commodious and attractive building with its fire-proof 

21 



facilities, as a fitting temple dedicated to Historical Study in this 
Community. About it, gather the memories of the Past. Founders 
of the State, as John Clarke and William Coddington : Great divines, 
as Clapp, Honeyman, Callender, Berkeley, Stiles, Hopkins, William 
Ellery Channing, Dr. Jackson and Dominee Thayer : Great mer- 
chants, as Redwood, Ayrault, Gibbs, Channing, Grant, Lopez, Riveria> 
Champlin . Public spirited citizens, as Hunter, Ellery, Robbins, 
Cranston, Ward : Lovely and accomplished women, as Peggy 
Champlin, Polly Lawton : Artists, as Malbone, Allston, Feke, Gil- 
bert Stuart and many others come back to our minds. 

With these memories of a glorious Past, let us not forget the 
present : We should preserve the records of every just endeavor and 
the name of every individual who has manifested a spirit of disinter- 
ested service for the public welfare. No Society, not even an 
Historical Society, can live wholly in the Past. In preserving the 
deeds of the Past and the Memory of those who have passed away, 
we must do so, mainly, for the purpose of improving the conditions of 
the present and of inspiring in our beloved City of Newport efforts 
tor a more glorious Future. 



22 



MEETINGS 

A meeting of the Society was held Aug. 12, in the Meeting 
Room, at which a large company was present. 

The First Vice-President presided, and in introducing the 
speaker of the day congratulated the Society upon the completion 
and arrangement of the new Museum and urged efforts for larger 
usefulness to the community. 

Mr. William P. Sheffield then presented the eloquent and in- 
teresting paper printed in this issue. 

At the close of the meeting the members present inspected and 
approved of the New Building, now completely finished and filled 
with the Society's valuable collections. 



THE NEW BUILDING 



On the first floor are the offices, newspaper room, and hall, in the 
latter many portraits of old Newport residents have been placed. 
Here too is the doorway from the old house on Franklin Street, re- 
cently demolished for Government purposes. The Exhibition Hall 
on the second floor contains more Newport portraits, and many cases, 
filled with old china, Indian relics, laces made in Newport years ago, 
and a miscellaneous collection of relics of old Newport. 

On the stairway may be found interesting photographs of early 
Newport houses, and in the large Exhibition Hall upstairs, is the 
mantel (probably about 1740) recently donated to the Society. 
This is surrounded by household furnishings of every description. 
In this room are the Ida Lewis collection, the relics of the old fire 
department, the old canes, guns and swords, and many other interest- 
ing articles. After the inspection of the building the members were 
served with Tea by a Committee of Ladies of which Mrs. F'rench 
Vanderbilt was chairman. 



23 



SOCIETY NOTES 



So many persons have expressed, 
and manifested, interest in our 
collections, that it has been deemed 
advisable to open the Museum 
Saturday and Sunday and Holi- 
day afternoons from two to five 
o'clock. It is hoped that those who 
ire engaged daily in business will 
ivail themselves of this oppor- 
tunity to examine our many ob- 
jects of interest. Many indeed 
tiave already done so. Admit- 
:ance is free. 

An interesting loan collection of 
>ome forty prints of Newport, 
some old and some new, is now on 
exhibition in the gallery of the 
Meeting House. 

It is hoped to hold similar loan 
exhibitions of articles of local in- 
erest from time to time. 

There is a greatly needed im- 
jrovement to our building which 
t is hoped soon to make ; in the 
ihape of a new porch to the front 
)nTouro Street. The fence around 
he lot is also about to be repaired. 
A^hen these improvements to the 
:xterior of our buildings are com- 
)leted, we shall feel that our So- 
:iety has a house of which we 
nay be justly proud. 

Among recent accessions to the 
Jbrary are the following: 
Pamphlets relating to the pre- 



sent European War, from Sir 
Gilbert Parker. 

Leaflets relating to the War. from 
the Paris Chamber of Commerce. 

The Jonny-Cake Papers of 
" Shepherd Tom.'' Limited edi- 
tion. Presented by Dr. Roderick 
Terry. 

Documentary History of "Rhode 
Island. Being the History of the 
towns of Providence and Warwick 
to 1649 and of the Colony to 1647.'' 
By Howard M. Chapin, Librarian 
R. I. Historical Society, 1916. 
Book F'und. 

"Clarke Genealogies. The 
Clarke Families of Rhode Island." 
Compiled by George Austin Mor- 
rison, Jr. Exchange. 

"Peter Harrison 1716-1775. 
First Professional Architect in 
America." By Charles Henry 
Hart. Boston, 1916. P'rom the 
author. 

"The Old Narragansett Church. 
Built 1707. A Brief History." 
Illustrated by Rev. H. Newman 
Lawrence, 1915. Presented by 
Miss E. M.Tilley. 

" Did the Norsemen Erect the 
Newport Round Tower.''" By 
Barthinius L. Wick. Pamphlet. 
Presented by the author. 

Edith M. Tilley, 

Librarian. 



24 



NEW MEMBERS 



Elected since the last Bulletin: 

Annual — Miss Mabel Norman, 
Dr. Arthur W. Stevenson. 

Associate — Mrs. George liar- 
low. 

Mrs. Reginald R. Belknap. 
Mr. Arthur B. Commerford. 



Mrs. Alexander Fludder. 

Mrs. Robert Gash. 

Mrs. Walter Goffe. 

Miss Katharine Manchester. 

Mrs. William O. Milne. 

Miss Mary Parrish. 

Mrs. R. H. Tilley. 



OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

For the year ending May^ igiy 



President, DANIEL B. FEARING 
First Vice-President, RODERICK TERRY 

Second Vice-President, FRANK K. STURGIS 

Third Vice-President, ALFRED TUCKERMAN 
Recording Secretary, JOHN P. SANBORN 
Corresponding Secretary, GEORGE H. RICHARDSON 
Treasurer, HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. 
Librarian, EDITH MAY TILLEY 
Curator of Coins and Medals, EDWIN P. ROBINSON 

Board of Directors 

THE OFFICERS and 

FOR THREE YEARS 

MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 

MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT GEORGE L. RIVES 

FOR TWO YEARS 

MRS. C. L. F. ROBINSON GEORGE V. DICKEY 

JONAS BERGNER LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE 

FOR ONE YEAR 

MRS. HAROLD BROWN WILLIAM S. SHERMAN 

MRS. RICHARD C. DERBY JOB A. PECKHAM 



BULLETIN OF T\W 
NEWPORT HISlQKiCAL 5UCIETY 



More Light on the Old M 

at Ne¥/porl: 



Pine: 



F. H. SHELTON 



umber 21 NEWPORi 



.N?H^i 




THE Ol.l) STONE MILL AT NEWPORT, R. L 



BULLETIN 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

Number Twenty-One NEWPORT, R. I. January, 1917 

More Light on the Old Mill at Newport 

By 
F. H. SHELTON 



A Paper read before the Society November 20th, 1916. 



Of the scores of thousands of old-time windmills that have heen 
erected, the Inigo Jones mill at Chesterton, Warwick County, England, 
is perhaps of the greatest total interest, for it not alone reflects the 
general interest attaching to these old-time structures but has features 
attaching to no other windmill. It is unique in being the most ornate 
in the world and the only mill. prol)ably, that was ever designed by an 
architect of great note. It is of interest in having been erected at the 
command of a family of unusual wealth and position— than which in 
its time there was perhaps none more prominent in all England, but 
which family is now so completely obliterated that naught but records 
and traditions exist, to attest its former fame ; or the magnificence of 
the family mansion,— that was demolished utterly, a century ago. 
Technically, it differs from other windmills in the use of certain rnechnn- 
ism not elsewhere used at that time; and finally, this windmill is of 
particular interest to the American historian as offering the most likely 
solution to the riddle which for a number of decades was a fruitful 
source of controversy to American antiquarians; namely, the identity 
of the builders of •' the old stone mill " in Newport. Rhode Island. 



Having been interested for a number of years in the study of old- 
fashioned windmills and being in England in the summer of 1910, J 
journeyed to Warwickshire for the express purpose of seeing this old 
Chesterton mill. My interest was keen to not only take some photo- 
graphs of it but secure as well the measurements and details of its 
structure, that I had quite failed to find in all references to it. I partic- 
ularly desired to examine the interior and the machinery, concerning 
which there seems to have been heretofore a total lack of information. 
I believe that this is the first time that the entire detail of the mill has 
been secured and made public. 

Chesterton is an old parish about four and a half miles south of 
Leamington and about ten miles east of Stratfordon-Avon and the first 
trip to it, — of rather an exploratory nature, — was in a modern taxicab, 
in delicious contrast to the almost mediaeval structure of which I was 
in quest. Good roads led to a point near the windmill and I had at 
last the satisfaction of finding that it still existed — which had been an 
open question — and of having it before my eyes. It was closed and 
barred and after taking several views with my camera, I retired to 
devise strategic ways and means to get inside. 

I ascertained that the mill was on the lands and is the property of 
the present Lord WilloughVyy de Broke, who individually I scarcely 
expected to have to reach, trusting that a caretaker could be found who 
would afford me entrance. Mr. Gilbert H. Spicer, secretary of the local 
antiquarian society, and an all-around interesting, able and co-operative 
individual, kindly gave me a letter of introduction to a brewer some 
miles out, who, upon duly seeking, in turn gave me a letter to the 
farmer living on the lands, who had the custody of the mill. So in due 
course, I re-journeyed to the mill and after some rappings and circum- 
navigation of the farm house, managed to awaken, — I believe from an 
afternoon nap,— a middle-aged female who advised me that the men 
were away and that she did not know where the key of the mill was. 
It was tolerably plain to be seen that I could not get the desired access 
from her and, further, I gathered that my general vacating of the prem- 
ises would blend with her preferences. Disappointed, but not van- 
quished, I retreated to re gather my forces, having first ascertained that 
there was no apparent way to get into the structure, the old oaken door 
having no "give," the windows being inaccessible and breaking and 
entering not being within my customary methods. 

I concluded tliat early Sunday morning should logically be a time 
in which the men would be home and that if persuasion, shillings or 
other arguments could prove effective, the key would be forthcoming. 
So on the succeeding Sunday, August 28th, 1910, I, for the third time, 



went the four and a half mile journey; this time afoot, enjoying the 
tramp, yet revolving in mind what I should do if still put to it. This 
time I found not a soul of any sort around the farmhouse. Proceeding 
to the mill, perhaps a thousand feet away, I faintly hoped that the key 
to the old iron lock had perhaps been tucked away for convenience 
sake in some crevice. Search, however, failed to disclose it. I finally 
discovered a small opening, covered by an unfastened trap door not 
before noticed, at the level of the first wooden floor near the head of the 
stairs, which opening measured perhaps 14" x 18" and concluded that if 
that was the sole point of entrance, it yet had to be! Being of stature 
six feet and of reasonably good weight and with but little to push 
against and the inside being encumbered with a complication of tim- 
bers, shafts and litter, entrance through this aperture, was at distinct 
expense to both body and gray matter. I admit that in the midst of 
the operation, the tale of the snake recurred to me; that having swal- 
lowed a rabbit— as yet undigested — ^and having started to go through a 
hole in a stone wall, was stopped half way by the bulge caused by the 
aforesaid rabbit and then— with the front half of his body swinging in 
space on the other side of the fence — succumbed to the temptation of a 
second rabbit which incautiously passed within reach and swallowed it\ 
with the result that his snakeship could then neither go forward nor 
backward! Seriously speaking, while able to squeeze in, I question 
very much whether I could have gotten out by the same hole. An 
adventure is without zest, however, if the ways are easy and, in this 
case, I felt that I could at least emerge through the roof and slide down 
one of the sweeps and drop off. However, from the inside, I found it 
easy to spring the door lock slightly with a screw driver, that I found 
inside, apparently of antiquity coeval with the mill, so that upon leav- 
ing, I was able to say that, while having doubtless committed trespass, 
I at least was not liable for breaking and entering. This Sunday 
morning, however, the country side was deserted as far as the eye could 
reach and I spent some two hours wholly undisturbed in sketching and 
measuring the old structure and machinery. My conquest was com- 
plete! 

The mill stands on what is locally known as Windmill Hill in a 
commanding position in a large open field overlooking many miles of 
open rolling, moderately hilly country, so sparsely settled that the 
parish population is given at only 150. It is on a raised dais or plat- 
form about 80 feet in diameter and some 4 feet above the general ground 
level, which platform is formed by a low circular stone retaining wall, 
and which — with fencing as well — prevents cattle or teams from walk- 
ing within reach of the revolvmg sweeps. There is not a single tree or 



hush anywhere near to interfere with the view, either of the mill or from 
it and access to it is easy as the road is but a few hundred feet away. 
The mill was erected in 1632 by Sir Edward Peyto as shown by the 
date and initials "16 E x P 32" appearing in lead work under the over 
hanging roof, over the leaded glass sashes of the dormer window in the 
rear. According to Ripton Turner's "Shakespeare's Land" it occupies 
the site of an earlier wooden mill. 

Sir Edward Peyto was one of a fine old family that owned lands in 
Warwick-shire county for many centuries (1278 to 1802) and in his day 
apparently spent large sums in the building or expanding of an estate 
that must have been one of the finest in England. The mansion no 
longer exists, only the difference in vegetation where the grass grows 
less well in dry seasons over the foundations, indicating the lines of the 
original structures, so complete was the demolishment when torn down 
in 1802. An old stone water mill, and a stone bridge across a water- 
way, with carved detail of a superior order are the only other yet re- 
maining ear-marks of Hie character of the estate in the past, aside from 
the windmill. It is evident that the architecture of all of the structures 
was put in the hands of a man of ability, and we know that was so; no 
less a one than Inigo Jones. Sir Edward Peyto, who died eleven years 
after the building of the windmill, was buried in the old Chesterton 
Church on Chesterton Green, perhai)S a third of a mile away, and re- 
cumbent monuments and the wall tablets of the family are unusually 
fine and of great interest. The local county directory after giving a 
summary of the parish and the Peyto fjimily so indissolubly associated 
with the old mill, remarks: 

' Here was seate<l, for successive ages the rich and powerful family 
of de Pictavia or Peto who are first noticed by Dugdale, as possessors of 
land at Drayton, near Stratford-on-Avon. in 6th Edw:ird I; the estate of 
Chesterton came to them by marriage in Edward Ill's reign, where they 
built a fine manor house, subsequently added to by Sir Edward Peto, 
from designs of Inigo Jones, but the whole structure was demolished in 
1802 by John Peyto or Peto, 14th Lord Willoughby de Broke, who in- 
herited this estate through his maternal ancestors. Lord Willoughby 
de Broke is the lord of the manor and chief landowner." 

While upwards of 300 years old the mill is in a good state of pre- 
servation. Although numerous individual stones are much weather 
worn, as a whole it is almost as good as it ever was. It is built of a 
local gray stone, accurately cut and dressed, with water table, mould- 
ings, skewbacks, keystones, window trims, cornices, arch-work, etc., 
equal to the work of any cathedral, and its unique design of arcaded 
support, that is the mill being carried on six square pillars or columns, 

6 



with connecting arches — unusual, yet sightly, suhstantial and satisfy- 
ing in effect — stamps it as manifestly the work of a master hand. 

It is credited explicitly to Inigo Jones, although perhaps not so 
much on direct record as by deduction, he having added to the man- 
sion, and the mill being of such a character that it could hardly have 
been designed by an ordinary millwright. A search of several principal 
works, such as "The Designs of Inigo Jones" by W. Kent, 1727, "De- 
signs of Inigo Jones and Others" by I. Ware, 1757, and Dallaways Edi- 
tion of Walpoles "Anecdotes of Painting," examined in the Library of 
the British Museum, disclosed no reference to this structure. "Some 
Architectural Works of Inigo Jones" however, by Triggs and Tanner, 
1901 — a biography and review of his principal works — gives a sketch of 
the windmill, lists it as his and makes the following reference to it on 
page 26: 

"This small building is an example of the good effect that can be 
obtained by quite simple methods in the hands of a master. Though 
the ground floor arcade, circular in j^lan, might be criticized by some, 
the whole efiect is very charming. 

"For miles around, the mill is a notable landmark, standing as it 
does, on the summit of a high hill without a tree or a shrub anywhere 
near it. The shell is built of stone, with a flat, domical roof of lead, 
and the mouldings are good and have weathered well in spite of the ex- 
posed position. The jointing of the archivolt of the arcade is noticeable, 
as the stones are shouldered back into the plain face of the wall. Inside 
the stone shell are the ordinary arrangements of a mill with a wooden 
stair leading up to the first floor " 

Inigo Jones was one of the noted men of his time, an architect of 
celebrity, in the history of architecture of England, was a favorite at 
Court, was involved in cabals and intrigue and died in poverty. In 
conjunction with the history of the old mill, a brief account of his life 
is of intere-^t and such may be found in the 6th edition of the "Encyclo- 
pedia Brittan^ca" published in 1828 and elsewhere. 

The mill is 29 feet in height from foundation level to the top of the 
masonry work; is about 23 feet in diameter to the outside face of the 
pillars; 16' 4" inside; 22' outside the body of the mill above; 16' 6" inside 
of the first floor and 16' 8" inside of the second floor. The walls are 
34", 33" and 32" thick at the lower, middle and upper levels respec- 
tively. The pillars are 40" in thickness, 48" on the outer circular face, 
33" on the inner face and the clearance between is 5' 9". This latter 
space is not sufficient for driving a cart under the mill as has been sup- 
posed was perhaps done for convenience in receiving grain. In any 
event this was not feasible because of a rectangular boarded, wood 
structure 8' x 8' 6" square, inside the columns, extending from the 




CHESTERTON MILL 
Vertical Section Through Columns 



ground to the first floor above, divided into two eight foot levels; the 
lower space being used for storage of farm tools or horse feed, while the 
upper space is used for sacking the ground grain or flour and weighing, 
a steelyard hanging there. Further, a flight of ordinary oak steps for 
access to the first floor from the ground level, is located between this 
wood room and the columns on one side. It is somewhat unfortunate 
that these wooden structures are there as they obstruct the open view 
and largely spoil the effect through the arches between the six columns. 
All of the walls within reach, are covered with innumerable dates, 
names and inscriptions, scratched and scribbled by visitors of two cen- 
turies It is 10' 6" from the foundation level to the top of the pillar 
caps; 16' from the foundation to the first floor; 8' 10" from the first to 
the second floor and 4' 2" from that level to the top of the wall, upon 
which the revolving roof or head rests, and about 10' 6" from the upper 
floor to the under side of the highest part of the roof. The first floor is 
supported by two 9" x 11" oak summer or girder timbers, carrying light 
oak joists 3^" x 5 " x 18 " centers. This floor carries the weight of the 
mill stones but it is reinforced by the four vertical 8" x 8" timbers 
forming the corners of the wood structure below, previously referred to. 
The upper floor is supported by two similar timbers 12" x 14" — not re- 
inforced — with the same smaller joists. Both floors are covered with 
usual 1" boards. A small wooden stairway of 14 steps connects the two. 
The windows are unusual in not being of uniform size, there being 
on the west side, two large windows 33 " above the floor, with splayed 
jambs, tlie openings in the wall on the inside being 46" wide by 60" 
high each, and two small splayed windows (with 35" x 34" opening) 
opposite, 39" above the floor on the east side. It is rather remarkable, 
with the entire structure in almost every other way characterized by 
symmetry, that the windows should be of uneven size and not equally 
spaced. The casement sash are of leaded glass with small rectangular 
lights and seem to be the originals and veritable antiques. On the out- 
side surface of the wall there is a sunk or recessed moulded trim around 
each window. The face of the wall is of ashlar, that is a cut and 
dressed stone veneer very true and smooth, each course being of uniform 
width around the building, though varying from 2^ to 6" in height. 
The stone column blocks are likewise of varying widths, but heavier, 
the thickest being about 16". The mouldings and cornice at every point 
are of most correct and careful design and the stones forming the arches 
between the columns show particularly fine workmanship, as these 
arches being curved as well as radial have the lines of a cone and, 
having continuous voussoirs or arch stones from front to back, involved 
a care in design and in shaping and fitting, found only in the very 

9 



highest class of work. The arch stones pioject 2" and there are nine- 
teen in each arch. 

The top of the circular tower carries a fixed curb 7" high, upon 
which run rollers equally spaced, about 5' 9'' apart, carrying the mova- 
ble wood mill head or roof. This head or cap is of a flattened oval or 
dome shape and is formed by six radial curved oak rafters about 4" x 4" 
supplemented by lighter intermediate rafters. They are supported at 
the outer end on a main circular curb, 7" x 13", are braced midway by 
short stud posts and in the center unite at a king block, the whole being 
covered with light roofing boards, sprung to form. This oak roof or 
dome is api)arently the original roof, is truly shaped and fitted, an 
excellent instance of the carpenter's art and is in a very good state of 
preservation. It is covered externally by sheet lead about ^" thick in 
the fashion of the old cathedrals, the sheets being radial with a project- 
ing rib between each where the joint occurs, the ribs being about 21" 
centers at the outer edge of the roof. From above it must present the 
appearance of a huge melon. In the rear is a dormer window, 31" 
high by 62" wide, with three sash, affording light to the upper floor, this 
dormer with curved roof, being lead covered as well. A generally simi- 
lar, though narrower dormer without sash, in the front, is used for 
housing the great shaft or axle of the wind wheel. The top is sur- 
mounted by a small metal weather vane of quaint early design, so 
arranged that its position, and hence any change in the direction of the 
wind, is — by an arrow — indicated inside as well, to the miller. The 
roof is about 24' diameter, extends down to the stone walls overhanging 
about a foot and overlapping the cornice so that storm cannot drive in. 
The chief evidence of age in the mill is in a few places around the edge 
of the roof where it has buckled or sagged. 

From the point of view of the windmill millwright, the mill 
machinery in the main is of usual form. The arms or sweeps, carried 
on whips perhaps 35' each in length and 10" x 16" at the butt, mounted 
in a cast axle head, — are of the old primitive lattice type with canvas 
sails, common throughout England and the continent. The " patent 
shutter sweeps" invented later were evidently never substituted. The 
great shaft, of wood, is 24" in diameter and octagonal in form. Its up- 
ward angle is moderate, being about five degrees. It is fitted with a 
9" cast axle neck or bearing, without cap, in the front end, secured by 
five wrought iron bands and with a gudgeon pin bearing at the rear 
end. It is carried on the usual, intersecting cross timbers attached to 
and stiffening the main circular wooden live curb, which is 7"xl3". 
The great cog or driving wheel is of the old, wood, built up construc- 
tion, about 8' diameter and 9" thick, fitted with wood teeth inserted, 

11 



wedged and replaced when worn as need he and is encircled with the 
usual wroui^ht iron brake l)and, lined with wood friction blocks 1^' 
thick. This great wheel drives a lantern wheel or wallower some 40" 
diameter mounted on the up])er end of a 14" king post and this serving 
as a vertical central shaft, drives by suitable gearing, at its lower end, 
two pairs of 54" mill stones of usual character on the first floor. The 
grain is hoisted from the ground level through trap doors about 28" 
square, is fed from a bin in the upper floor to the stones, is ground on 
the first floor and the resulting flour is bagged and weighed in the 
space beneath, as shown in drawing. 

The mechanism for rotating the head of the mill, however, in order 
to bring the sails into the wind, is entirely difl'erent from that usually 
found at that time The architectural design adopted by Inigo Jones, 
to make a mill out of the ordinary in appearance, suitaitle for the estate 
of his wealthy patron, doubtless i)recluded in his eyes, the use of the 
ordinary projecting timber tiller, of homely and crude appearance. As 
a substitute there was used an internal gearing operated by crank and 
pinion. While such method was used in Holland and in the American 
colonies, a century later, this is the only instance that I have found 
of its use as early as 1632. In this respect, this part of the mechanism 
of the mill was extremely unusual. In the device in question a hand 
crank operates an iron pinion geared to a cog wheel, the diameters being 
about 5 to 1 1. This in turn oj)erates an iron worm gear in the ratio of 
1 to 65 and tliis in turn operates an iron wheel of 16" pitch diameter, 
having 12 teeth, engaging with the final circular cog rack of about 160 
large wooden teeth mounted on top of the mill wall concentric to and 
within the track carrying the truckles or roof supporting rollers. The 
gears are crude and friction great, and the roof and timbers are so heavy 
that it is no easy job to move the head, as my personal trial showed. 

There were signs of the mill having been in operation comi)aratively 
recently, the canvas sails l>eing in })lace, furled, and repairs of some of 
the teeth and operating paits of the machinery being under way, as 
evidenced by chips and carpenters tools. I believe that occasionally 
the mill is used for reasons of both sentiment and convenience in grind- 
ing grain from the estate. Although now 285 years old, it api)ears 
good for some centuries to come and standing as it does, a little above 
the general level, on the crest of tlie hill, and protected by the surround- 
ing fence and bank wall from cattle and vehicles, as well as by the 
sentiment that must attach to it, there is every likelihood of its con- 
tinuing in stately dignity, an historic land mark for miles, for a long 
period to come. 



12 




CHESTERTON MILL 
Top Floor and Revolving Head Plan 



Let us now consider the probable relation of tliis Obesterton mill 
lo the old stone mill at Newport, R. I. 

The circular stone tower standing in Touro Park, (and known to 
ill students of American history, as one of the oldest, if not quite, the 
Dldest existing relic in the country) through a large portion of the last 
century, aroused a great amount of discussion as to its origin. From 
:he settlement of Rhode Island in 1688 and during a century and a half 
[.hereafter, it was apparently locally known as the " Old Stone Mill'' by 
[he early inhabitants and as what follows below may show, I believe 
properly. It was regarded as the remains of a windmill erected by the 
3arly Colonists, in the 17th century. It was reported according to 
tradition, to have had the usual floor and circular roof of such structure, 
[ts operation was laborious " requiring oxen to turn it " to the wind, 
rhe street leading to it was known as Mill St., etc., etc. In 1840, how- 
ever, Prof. Rafn of the Northern Society of Antiquarians, Copenhagen, 
n an elaborate jjaper upon the history of Norsemen in America (who 
ivere admitted to have landed and to have occupied Greenland and 
3ther north-eastern shores some 600 years before the English colonists 
settled in Rhode Island) contended that this old mill tower was a 
3ircular edifice or baptistry, erected by these Norsemen in the 11th 
century. This radical, romantic and interesting theory, supported as it 
was by ingenious surmise and capable argument, found a number of 
adherents and for perhaps two generations through the past century, 
controversy waxed and waned as to the probable facts. The opposition 
contended that the structure was erected in 1675 by Governor Benedict 
Arnold, as a windmill pure and simple. 

The discussion at large led to the suggestion of various other 
theories, some of them fantastically improbable, as for instance the 
following which appeared in the editorial colums of Scientific American, 
November 27th, 1845; seventy one years ago. 

" We shall dismiss the subject with the simple conjecture that it is 
a fabric of remote antiquity, intended for a temple of Pagan worship, 
and erected by the process of heaping up earth around the building as 
it progressed ; thus furnishing facilities for elevating the stones, as has 
been practised by the Chinese and other nations : but that the Sachem 
builders having died or failed before the building was complete, the 
earth was left around the edifice, till becoming overgrown with trees, 
the building was so far concealed from view as not to attract the notice 
of the l^'.nglish settlers, until the land, being cleared, was gradually 
washed away by storms of rain, which, by a process too slow to induce 
remark, eventually brought the whole fabric to view from its founda- 
tion." 

Prof Rafn's original paj)er (and according to Justin Winsor in his 

14 



"Narrative History of United States," Hafn was the first to assert the 
Norse theory) may be found as a supplement with plates in his " Anti- 
quates Americana " (1840) to be found in the older libraries. The best 
and most interesting argument in the same line— that is the Norse 
theory— of comparatively recent times, is that of R G. Hatfield "The 
Old Mill at Newport '' appearing in Scribners Monthly for March, 1879. 
Most of the arguments upholding the opposite or windmill theory are 
included in a small verbose pamphlet of 91 pages by the Rev. Charles 
T. Brooks of Newport (1851) entitled "The Controversy Touching the 
Old Stone Mill in the Town of Newport," copies of which may be found 
in the libraries of the Historical Society of Newport, the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania, the Lenox Library of New York, etc. The 
best recent article confirming the windmill theory is that of George C. 
Mason, Jr entitled " The Old Stone Mill at Newport " appearing in the 
n)agazine of American History (1879) and also later as a chapter of his 
" Reminiscences of Newport." It is the purpose of this i)resent article 
to further confirm the windmill theory by a showing of the detail and 
the similarity of the Chesterton and Newport structures in greater full- 
ness than heretofore. References to the subject also appear in Higgin- 
son's " Larger History of the United States "; Peterson's " Rhode Is- 
land " ; Gay's " Popular History of the United States '' ; Palfrey's " New 
England '' ; Schoolcrafts " Indian Tribes " Vol. 4 ; Lossings " Field Book 
of the Revolution"; Bishops "American Influences"; "Science''; 
December 5th, 1884; '•Scientific American," November 27, 1845; 
Drakes ''Nooks and Corners of the New England Coast,'' etc., etc. 

The argument of Prof. Rafn and of Hatfield and their followers was 
based on the general ground of a claimed similarity of the Newport 
round tower to a number of round religious edifices that are cited the 
world over and to the crude architecture of the arches and columns being 
more " Norman " than anything else. Analogy is not only depended 
upon throughout but is about the chief argument that can be used for 
the reason that there is nothing else — nothing whatever of any tangible 
or definite nature — that can be pointed to, excavations from time to 
time having quite failed to reveal the slightest physical or material 
evidence of adjacent church or other structures and no documentary 
records ever being found to bear out the religious theory. It was 
admitted by the Norse theorists that at one time the tower was owned 
by Benedict Arnold, the then governor of the colony and was then a 
windmill but it is contended that it was converted into a mill from its 
previous religious form. It is asserted that the fire-place and flues and 
floors and existing windows were added later and that especially — in 
relation to its similarity to the Chesterton mill — that it was not a copy 

15 




CHE-5TERT0N MiLL. 
Vertical section between colok 




Newport mill - restoked. 
Verticau section. 



because of having eight columns instead of six ; because of being of very 
rough construction instead of finished ; because of I)eing of the claimed 
style ot the 10th century in place of the 17th centui-y and because the 
rough columns at Newport are somewhat offset instead of 1 icing directly 
under the finished ciiculat wall above as at ("hestciton Also that this 
open arch structure was not a windnnll form ; that a tii (place was not 
a windmill feature and that the wall openings lor flooring timbers, etc, 
were 1 iter modifications. 

The argument of the windmill I)elic\ers is that the early colonists 
made special note of all local and unusual objects and that it is im- 
possible to conceive of such a structuie built by previous laces already 
existing there upon their advent without any note or reference being 
made to it; that as to the baptistry theory, the fact that a small l)uilding 
or structure was circular does not make it follow that its use could only 
be that of a baptistry — usually circular — but that its use might be that 
Qti any building of circular form ; that while the pillars and arches form 
of support in question is a very unusual one for a windmi)] tower, 
there is at least one windmill of exaclly the same style, viz the Chester- 
ton mill, and which windmill — because of the history of the Arnold 
family — was specifically the model for the Newport mil' ; that the 
arches offsetted from or projecting, a little beyond the line of the wall 
above for the claimed purpose of supporting the roof timbers of a 
circular baptistry aisle oi' " leanto" surrounding the tower proper, are 
not necessarily for such purpose at all, and that the fact of there being 
no foundations revealed at any time around the outer circumference 
refutes the " leanto " theory ; that the columns being somewhat off 
center, was simply to obtain a flush vertical interior and to enable the 
easier construction of straight arches, with the crude facilities available; 
that a ba})tistry of some oG' in height (as " restored '' by Hatfield) 
would involve the supposition of some 10 or 12' of the original tower 
having fallen away ; a tlieory which is not borne out by the extreme 
tenacity of the present structure, apparently unchanged in form and 
height for two centuries and that if the original tower had been of that 
heigiit, and had been converted to windmill purposes, such greater 
height would have been a pronounced advantage and reducing the 
height would have been the very last thing that would have been done. 
These are all general arguments also by analogy, against the baptistry 
theory. More positive arguments, liowever, in favor of the windmill 
theory were based upon these definite points : 

It is known that Benedict Arnold (the great-grandfather of Bene- 
dict Arnold, the traitor) was born in Leamington, England, in 1615; 
that he emigrated to Rhode Island in 1685; that in course of time he 

18 



became governor of the colony — in 1663— but was not i)opular either 
with certain of the colonists or with the Indians; that according to the 
diary of Peter Easton, the first windmill, a wooden structure, was erected 
in 1663; and that in August 1675, tiiis windmill was blown down in a 
great storm. It is held that Arnold, as governor, had tlie responsibility 
of seeing to it that means existed for grinding the grain, essential to 
sustenance; that either upon the wrecking of the wood mill he immedi- 
ately built the stone mill, or else "or greater capacity or for other reasons, 
built the same sometime between the time of the erection of the first 
wood mill (in 1663) and 1678, in which year he died, making several 
references in his will to his stone built windmill. The fact of his birth 
and bringing up in the vicinity of the Chesterton mill near Leamington, 
first above described, is taken as the dirrct reason for the unusual form 
of the Newport stone mill, that is, being on columns and arches instead 
of the usual cylindrical solid tower. When the Chesterton mill was 
finished in 1632 and the keg of old ale was opened and the flag 
raising occurred in connection with this ornate and unusual structure — if 
such custom or its equivalent then existed — it is argued that this ornate 
mill must have made a distinct impression upon the mind of young 
Arnold, then 17, who indeed may have as a lad been engaged in actual 
work upon this Chesterton mill and certainly was familiar with it as 
one of the conspicuous Peyto edifices and a local landmark. Forty- 
three years later Arnold was a man of mature years, of unusual indi- 
viduality and pre-eminent among his fellows, and it is not only per- 
fectly conceivable, but likely and natural that, upon being called upon to 
construct for the colonists a more enduring mill than the one that had 
just failed, and actuated by both sentiment and practicability, that he 
should endeavor to build, despite 3,000 miles of separation and many 
years of absence, a mill as much as he could, like the old one at Ches- 
terton. And while quite bearing in mind its general form and arrange- 
ment, it is entirely probable that he could neither remember the precise 
dimensions nor well secure the same within the time in which the new 
mill was needed and that he had to trust to memory, not only for the 
dimensions and general proportions, but perhaps even as to the number 
of columns that were used. This would easily account for the mill 
being a little greater diameter and a few feet shorter than the Chester- 
ton mill and having eight columns instead of six. In fact the latter 
variation might have been purposely made as making the easier arch 
constructiim; one more within the capabilities of the colonists. Asa 
matter of fact, according to Mason, the Newport arches are straight from 
column to column, forming an octagon at that [)Ortion, while the build- 




*.#'1 




THE "INIGO JONES •' STONE MILL. 
Chesterton, near Leamington, En^i^land 



>^%^u.<.^ 




NEWPORT MILL RESTORED 



ing being circular above, overhangs the arches a few inches, this ar- 
rangement forming the easiest construction 

It has been suggested that the use of the arch form was in part 
to diminish the backlash of the wind found on the usual windmill 
towers, the open arches easing the air current below and diminishing 
the eddies. I do not believe, however, that this is other than an in- 
genious theory, but rather that Inigo Jones selected the open arcn 
design purely for architectural effect and that the similar Newport 
design was because Arnold from memory copied the mill with which 
he was most familiar, most admued and thought to be of the best 
form. The argument has further been advanced that this stone struc- 
ture with its appearance of stiength and actual elevation above the 
ground, would form — on block house lines — a vantage point of defense, 
if need be, or at least so impress the unfriendly Indians. In regard 
to the fireplace, it is an unknown feature, it is true, in mills in Eng- 
land, the climate not requiring such, but it is evident that the colonists 
would require but little stay in Rhode Island to find that the climate 
there, especially in winter, on the bleak tops of some of the exposed 
sea coast islands, was very different indeed from the climate to which 
they had been accustomed. And in constructing this windmill, the 
addition of a fireplace for comfort, would be but a practical evidence 
of hard sense. In Penna it is hard to find an early colonial grist water 
mill, zvithout a fireplace. The flues of this fireplace, instead of dis- 
charging upward, turn and discharge sideways, about lo" below the 
top of the tower wall, which would be exactly the necessary construc- 
tion, to avoid interference with the curb rollers of the movable wind- 
mill head, which would rest on top of the walls. It may further be 
noted that the plaster with which the mill was built, upon analysis, 
showed the same as the plaster used in nearby colonial houses known 
to have been built at the same period. 

In dimensions, the Newport structure is 24' 8" in diameter to the 
outside of the columns. The average inside diameter between oppo- 
site columns and the lower portion of the wall is 18' 9"; of the upper 
wall, about 19' 9". The columns themselves are round, of 38 to 40" 
diameter, and rest on bases about 3' 10" in diameter. Their height is 
8' to 8' 8" from ground level to the top of the cap, a single large 
roughly rounded stone. The height to the under side of the opening 
of the arches is about 11' 2'. The fireplace hearth level is 13' 5'' 
above the ground and was probably a foot or so above the first floor 
level, which floor was built upon and carried by four heavy beams, 
arranged in two intersecting pairs, which beams rested in holes in the 
wall immediately over each column, and between the arches The 

22 



second floor level is 20' 2" above the ground. The height to the top 
of the wall is ?.$*. The fireplace is 3' 5" wide by 4" high; the south 
window is 2' 2" wide and 2' 5^" high outside; the west window is 2' 2" 
wide. In being unevenly spaced and not symmetrical with the arches 
below, they precisely follow, in that respect, the Chesterton mill. The 
windows are placed about 16' above the ground and on the less ex- 
posed sides, further indicating occupancy of the building by a pre- 
sumable attendant miller, requiring weather protection and heat, for 
with accumulated grain it was the custom to operate day and night 
when a fair wind should become available. In a very old mill in Paris 
on Montmartre, there was even a bunk provided so that the miller and 
his helper might alternate in snatches of sleep during continuous work. 
The mill at Newport is laid up in coarse rubble of local laminated slate 
or graywacke, mixed with gneiss. For many years it was covered 
with vines, but to prevent the destroying action of the tendrils, they 
were removed about 1880. 

The windmill theory as summarized above, is strongly reinforced 
by Mr. Mason's study of the Newport structure in 1878 in which he 
was satisfied, after close scrutiny of the details and parts, that the fire- 
places and flues, the floor openings and the windows were most un- 
likely and in fact practically impossible to have been added as later 
modifications; that they were almost certainly a part of the original 
structure and therefore obviously and totally conflicted with the bap- 
tistry theory. At the present day I think most historians and anti- 
quarians have dropped the Norse theory and look upon the windmill 
the.iry as having been long and suflficiently well established. While I 
am iK-ither a historian nor architect, I have especial knowledge as to 
windmill structures of the old type and I believe that the similarity, 
not only of the general containing structures, but of the floor arrange- 
ments, the floor levels, the stairways and contained machinery (assum- 
ing the Newport mill restored, and equipped as shown in drawings 
attached) is so obvious as to be completely convincing and that it 
needs but a glance at the drawings side by side to be satisfied that 
the Chesterton mill, (in conjunction with the Arnold history and cir- 
cumstances related,) was the prototype and model of the Newport mill. 

First built and used about 1675 as a windmill, by Benedict Arnold, 
the first Governor of the colony of Rhode Island, the Newport mill 
fell into disuse in the 18th century, was later used as a powder house 
and again for hay storage and now, tradition laden, protected and re- 
vered, it has finally become Rhode Island's most treasured relic; and 
taken with the Chesterton mill, the two form the most unique and 
historically interesting pair of windmills ever built! 

23 



SOCIETY NOTES 



The Society has recently been 
presented by Mr. Richard Bhss 
with a collection of manuscripts 
containing autographs including 
the following: 

Early Newport Printers — Solm. 
Southwick, 1769; Henry Barber, 
1783; Peter Edes, 1789; O. Farns- 
worth, 1801; William Barber, 1808; 
J. H. Barber, 1812. 

Also many Newport Merchants, 
including — Jahleel Brenton, 1730; 
Godfrey Mallbone, 1744; Wm. Ver- 
non, 1746; Henry Collins, 1747; 
Geo. Wanton, 1750; John Bannis- 
ter, 1752; Christ. Champlin, 1764; 
Aaron Lopez, 1767; John Bannis- 
ter, 1768; Gilbert Stewart, 1768, 
(father of the artist); Wm. Codding- 
ton, 1774, (Town Clerk); J. Hony- 
man, 1776; Christ. EUery, 1788. 



A series of five papers on some 
Celebrated Divmes whose names 
are associated with Newport his- 
tory is being arranged for, to be 
read before the Society upon the 
first Tuesdays of January, Febiu- 
ary, March, April and May. 

The Rev. William I. Ward read 
the first paper, on Whitefield on 
January second. The following 
Clergymen have consented to read 
the other papers — Mr. Hughes on 
Bishop Berkeley, Mr. Jones on 
Channing, Mr. Silcox on Ezra Stiles 



and Mr. McKeever on John Clarke. 
It is believed that this will furnish 
a most interesting and instructive 
series of papers describing impor- 
tant characters in Newport history. 



Members elected since 
LAST Bulletin 
life 
Mrs Ogden Goelet 

ANNUAL 

Mrs. Charles Carroll Bombaugh 

Mrs. W. B. Bristow 

Mr. John M. Taylor 

Mr. Bradford Norman 

Miss Amy Varnum 

Mr. Norman deR. Whitehouse 

Mr. Walter S. Langley 

Mr. Henry W. Clarke 

Mr. Wm. Hamilton 

Mr. Peyton Van Rensselaer 

Miss Harriet Downing 

Miss Julia Downing 

Mr. E. O. Riggs 

associate 
Mrs. Henry Newton 
Mr. Henry Newton 
Mr. Vernon Howe Bailey 



Through the courtesy of Mr. 
Howard M. Chapin, Librarian of 
the Rhode Island Historical So- 
ciety, we have been informed of 
the purchase by the American 
Antiquarian Society of an Alman- 



24 



ack for 1669 which is of consider- 
able interest to Newporters, as it 
was owned by Peter Easton and 
contains m;muscript notes by him. 
These notes are bare historical 
statements of well known facts, but 
among them are the following: 

we came to new England may 14, 1634. 
I was Borne years forty seven 47. 
road Hand was planted 1638. 
Nuport began may first 1639. 
the first hous built in Nuport in May 
1639. 
peter Easton maried novb. 15 1643. 
the windmill was built Aug. 2, 1663. 



Resolutions on the Death of 

George H. Richardson, 

Corresponding Secretary 

The Directors of the Newport 
Historical Society record with sor- 
row the death, on Nov. 30, 1916, of 
George H. Richardson, Correspond- 
ing Secretary since March 21, 1892- 

Mr. Richardson was born in 
Fairhaven, Massachusetts, April 19, 
1838, but in early youth removed 
to Newport ; and he dearly loved 
the history and traditions of his 



adopted home. All his leisure mo- 
ments were devoted to historical 
research, and for thirty years he 
was an earnest worker in this So- 
ciety. His wide knowledge of local 
history enabled him to render valu- 
able assistance not only to the 
Staff, but to the many searchers in 
the Society's Rooms, where he 
spent the greater part of each day; 
and his familiarity with building 
construction helped materially in 
the care and preservation of our 
buildings and particularly during 
the recent erection of the fireproof 
addition. 

We shall miss his presence and 
his never failing interest in the 
welfare of the Society. 

Resolved, That our deepest sym- 
pathy be tendered his family in 
their bereavement, and that a copy 
of these resolutions be sent to 
them, and printed in the publica- 
tion of this Society. 

Edith May Tilley, 
John P. Sanborn, 

Committee. 

December 12, 1916. 



OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

For the year ejiding May^ ^9^7 



President, DANIEL B. FEARING 
First Vice-President, RODERICK TERRY 

Second Vice-President, FRANK K. STURGIS 

Third Vice-President, ALFRED TUCKERMAN 
Recording Secretary, JOHN P. SANBORN 
Corresponding Secretary, 

Treasurer, HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. 
Librarian, EDITH MAY TILLEY 
Curator of Coins and Medals, EDWIN P. ROBINSON 

Board of Directors 
THE OFFICERS and 

FOR THREE YEARS 

MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 
MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT GEORGE L. RIVES 

FOR TWO YEARS 

MRS. C. L. F. ROBINSON GEORGE V. DICKEY 

JONAS BERGNER LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE 

FOR ONE YEAR 

MRS. HAROLD BROWN WILLIAM S. SHERMAN 

MRS. RICHARD C. DERBY JOB A. PECKHAM 



^u^ BULLETIN 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

Number Twenty-Two NEWPORT, R. I. April. 1917 

The First European Visitors to 
Narragansett Bay 

A PAPER READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY FEBRUARY I9th, 1917 

By 
THE REV. RODERICK TERRY, D.D. 

First Vice President 



It is my purpose to bring before your minds the first visits of 
Europeans to these shores — to read to you the descriptions which 
they give of this beautiful bay and its forest dwellers — man and 
beast. 

lyittle imagination is needed to picture this inland sea in its 
savage state. Hills covered with forests whose great trees 
reached to the edge of the water, while beneath them grew every 
variety of wild flower, with sparkling brooks running down the 
hillsides. 

Of the mild natured Indians who roamed these forests, and 
of the various animals, deer, rabbits and foxes, and the birds of 
beautiful plumage, these early visitors make full mention. 

This Island, always celebrated for mildness of climate 
and fertility of verdure, stands revealed to us in its savage but 
luxuriant beauty, when as yet no sound was heard in its woods 
but the cry of the Indian, the call of the deer, or the song of the 
bird, and the bosom of the waters of the bay knew no keel but 
that of the canoe of the red man. What European eyes first 
gazed upon this beauty, and whose foreign voices and sound of 
gun awoke the echoes among these rocks and forests? Were 
they the Norsemen and was this the fabled Vinland? 



THE NORSEMEN 

In the year 1837 there was published in Copenhagen a book 
called "American Antiquities," by Professor Rafn. This was 
the first scholarly work to call attention to the serious nature of 
the early Icelandic writings. For five hundred years the manu- 
scripts written by Icelanders and Danes had been more or less 
familiar to the people of those countries, who delighted in these 
graphic, if poetical, accounts of their brave and venturesome 
;;ucestors. But the scholars and historians of Europe had not 
taken these Sagas seriously. They had regarded them more in 
the nature of legendary or fictitious writings, in which, on a very 
small foundation of fact, the early writers had erected enormous 
buildings of romance. 

But Rafn not only printed the complete text of the Sagas 
which related to the discovery of America, he also seriously 
studied them, and proved to the satisfaction of scholars from that 
day to this that they are truly historic documents, although occa- 
sionally there may have been interjected into them certain state- 
ments which the credulous people of the time accepted (as they 
did the remarkable experiences declared by all early voyagers to 
have been met with in other lands.) As for instance, when it 
was reported that upon the coast of North America they dis- 
covered one morning a race of unipeds — men with only one leg, 
we are persuaded that this is but an echo of other discoveries 
declared at that time to have been made in strange parts of the 
world . 

Aside from this one statement, there is nothing (so far as 
has yet been discovered) in the Sagas that is intrinsically diffi- 
cult of belief. 

However, all historians have not accepted the statements of 
Rafn, a notable exception being found in the person of Washing- 
ton Irving who wrote regarding these sagas, 

*"As far as the author of the present work has had experi- 
ence in tracing these stories of early discoveries of portions of the 
New World, he has generally found them very confident deduc- 
tions drawn from very vague and questionable facts .... Most 
of these accounts, when divested of the erudite and scientific 



•"Life and Voyages of Columbus." Vol. Ill, Appendix. 



dressing of commentators, have proved little better than tradi- 
tionary fables." 

Bancroft in his history of the United States, declares *"The 
story of the colonization of America by Northmen rests on narra- 
tive, mythological in form and obscure in meaning, ancient yet 
not contemporary. The intrepid mariners who colonized Green- 
land could easily have extended their voyages to Labrador, and 
have explored the coasts to the south of it. No clear historic 
evidence establishes the natural probability that they accom- 
plished the passage, and no vestige of their presence on our con- 
tinent has been found." 

In later days Justin Winsor declares f'The extremely prob- 
able and almost necessary pre-Columbian knowledge of the 
northeastern parts of America follows from the venturesome 
spirit of the mariners of those Icelandic seas for fish and traffic, 
and from the easy transitions from coast to coast, by which they 
would have been lured to meet more southerly climes. The 
chances from such natural causes are quite as strong an argument 
in favor of the early Northmen venturings as the somewhat 
questionable representations of the Sagas." 

Also Nansen in "Northern Mists" expresses doubt concern- 
ing the saga accounts as history, but considers the fact of the 
Norsemen's discovery of the American continent as probable. 

These are all the doubters whom I have been able to discover. 
— The otherwise universal opinion of historians is voiced by 
the latest, and perhaps the most careful, student of our history, 
Professor Fiske of Harvard, who is unquestioning in the faith 
which he gives to these documents; and another contemporary, 
Professor Reeves^ thus closes the discussion : $"These records in 
so far as they relate to the discovery, disentangled from wild 
theories and vague assumptions, would seem to speak for them- 
selves. The Icelandic Saga is peculiarly distinguished for the 
presentation of events in a simple, straightforward manner, with- 
out embellishment or commentary by the author. There is, indeed, 
no clear reason why the statements of an historical Saga should 
be called in question, where these statements are logically con- 
sistent and collaterally confirmed." 

♦History of the United States, 1872, Ed.— v. i, p. 5. 
tNarrative and Critical History of America, v. 2, p. 33 
♦The "Finding of Wineland the Good" p. 3. 



And to these testimonials of the historians we may add that 
these Sagas, written five hundred years before the time of Colum- 
bus, mention c&ridi\\\ peculiarities of the Indians living along our 
coast, which are quite different from those that are found in 
natives of other countries, and which no travels, either in Africa 
or Asia, would have led the voyagers of that time to expect. 

It seems, then, safe for us, with faith in these writings, to 
turn to them, and ascertain precisely what they state. 

The earliest reference to Vinland, or Vineland, or Wineland, 
as it is variously written, is found in Adam of Bremen's "De- 
scriptio Insularum Aquilonis." This writer had paid a visit to 
the court of the Danish king about 1070, and there received the 
information which is contained in this passage of his work. 
♦"Moreover, he (the king of Denmark) spoke of an island in 
that ocean discovered by many, which is called Wineland, for the 
reason that vines grow wild there which yield the best of wines. 
Moreover that grain unsown grows there abundantly from the 
accounts of the Danes we know to be a fact. Beyond this island, 
it is said there is no habitable land in that ocean, but all beyond 
is full of dreadful masses of ice and boundless gloom." 

From this first written mention of Vinland we get some idea 
of the fanciful notions regarding it which prevailed, although 
this was written but seventy years after the date of its discovery. 
From this time on there are frequent references to Vinland in the 
writings of Danes, the Icelandic Book of 1130, the Landnama of 
the same time, Olaf's Saga of 1200, and many others. 

But while most have simply a slight reference to this coun- 
try of Vinland, there are two elaborate accounts upon which all 
information is based. These are the "Saga of Eric the Red" 
and the "Flatey Book." 

The Saga of Eric the Red was written probably about the 
year 1300, and the part which interests us describes the trip 
taken by Leif, the son of Eric, about the year 1000. 

Previous to this time, perhaps about 985 A. D., Greenland 
had been discovered by Eric the Red, who had established a 
colony, which later had grown into several, upon its southern 
shore. It is interesting to note that he called this country Green- 



'The Finding of Wineland the Good" Reeves, L,ondon, 



land, he himself declaring that "men would be the more readily- 
persuaded thither if the land had a good name," though there 
was little but white upon the mountains or plains, they being 
almost perpetually covered with snow. 

Leif the Lucky, the son of Eric the Red, was the discoverer 
of Vinland. He started from Iceland, in order to convert the 
people of Greenland to Christianity, about the year looo, and 
the saga proceeds as follows: 

*" Leif put to sea when his ship was ready for the voyage. 
For a long time he was tossed about upon the ocean, and came 
upon lands of which he had previously had no knowledge. 
There were self-sown wheat fields and vines growing there. There 
were also those trees there which are called 'mausur,' NoTE — 
(Supposed to be the birch trees from whose bark canoes were 
made), and of all these they took specimens. Some of the 
timbers were so large that they were used in building. Leif 
found men upon a wreck, and took them home with him, and 
procured quarters for them all during the winter. In this wise 
he showed his nobleness and goodness, since he introduced 
Christianity into the country and saved the men from the wreck, 
and he was called Leif the Lucky ever after." 

And it adds, "At this time there began to be much talk 
about a voyage of exploration to the country which Leif had 
discovered." 

In the other Icelandic book to which I referred, called the 
Flatey Book, which was written almost a century later than the 
Saga of Eric the Red, perhaps about 1387, the discovery of the 
continent is ascribed not to Leif, as this Saga seems to imply, 
but to a man named Biarni, who is declared to have sailed from 
Iceland! " for three days, until the land was hidden by water, 
and then the fair wind died out, and north winds arose, and fogs, 
and they knew not whither they were driven. Thus it lasted for 
many days. Then they saw the sun again, and were able to 
determine the quarters of the heaven. They hoisted sail, and 
sailed that day through before they saw land. They discussed 
among themselves what land it could be, and Biarni said that 



•From the Translation of the Saga of Eric the Red given in " The Finding of Wineland the 
Good," by Arthur Middleton Reeves, IvOndon, 1890, p. 36. 
t " The Finding of Wineland the Good,"— Reeves, p. 63, 



he did not believe it could be Greenland. They asked whether 
he wished to sail to this land or not. 'It is my counsel,' said he, 
'to sail close to the land.' They did so, and soon saw that the 
land was level and covered with woods, and that there were 
small hills upon it. They left the land upon the larboard, and 
let the sheet turn toward the land. They sailed for two days 
before they saw another land. They soon approached this land, 
and saw that it was a flat and wooded country. They left this 
land astern, and held out to sea with the same fair wind. They 
sailed now for four days, when they saw the fourth land, and 
Biarni said, 'This is the likest Greenland, according to that 
which has been reported to me concerning it, and here we will 
steer to the land.' " 

According to this account, the visit of Eric was made later, 
when he sailed from Greenland to investigate this country which 
Biarni had discovered. 

It matters little who was the first discoverer. It is certain 
that tnis land which obtained the name of Vinland from the 
reported existence of vines upon it soon became a matter of great 
interest to the people of Iceland and Greenland, and several voy- 
ages were made to re-discover it . The accounts of these voyages of 
discovery are somewhat confused, but the main events agree, 
though names of explorers may differ. 

The following is the account of the temporary settlement of 
Vinland, which is taken from the Saga of Eric the Red. 

" About this time there began to be much talk at Brathalid 
(the Greenland village) to the effect that Wineland the Good 
should be explored, for it was said that country must be possessed 
of many good qualities, and so it came to pass that Karl Sefni 
and Snorri fitted out their ship for the purpose of going in search 
of that country in the spring. Biarni and Thorhall joined the 
expedition with their ship, and the men who had borne them 
company. There was a man named Thorvard. He was wedded 
to Freydis, a natural daughter of Eric the Red. He also accom- 
panied them, together with Thorvald, Eric's son, and Thorhall, 
who was called the huntsman. They had in all one hundred and 
sixty men when they sailed to the western settlement, and thence to 
Bear Island." Note — (These were apparently other villages on 
the south coast of Greenland.) " Thence they bore away to the 

6 



southward two days; then they saw land, and launched a boat 
and explored the land, and found there large, flat stones(Hellur). 
There were many arctic foxes there. They gave a name to the 
country, and called it Helluland (the land of flat stones). Then 
they sailed with northerly winds two days, and land then Iny 
before them, and upon it was a great wood and many wild beasts. 
An island lay off the land to the southeast, and there they four.d 
a bear, and they called this Biarney (Bear Island) while the land 
where the wood was they called Marklaud (Forest Land)." 
Note — (The first of these places, called Helluland, was un- 
doubtedly some part of Labrador, and Markland was either th.e 
southern point of Labrador or the Island of Newfoundland. Up( n 
these points almost all historians, I believe, are agreed). 

" Thence they sailed southward along the land for a loi g 
time, and came to a cape. The land lay upon the starboard. 
There were long strands and sandy beaches there. They called 
the strands Furdustrandir (Wonder Strands) because they were 
so long to sail by. Then the country became indented with bays, 
and they steered their ships into a bay. Now when they had 
sailed past Wonder Strands, they put the Gaels ashore, and 
directed them to run to the southward and investigate the nature 
of the country, and return again before the end of the third half 
day." Note — (These Gaels were two slaves that they had with 
them.) " When they came again, one of them carried a bunch 
of grapes, and the other an ear of new sown wheat. They went 
on board the ship, whereupon Karl Sefni and his followers went 
on their way until they came to where the coast was indented 
with bays. They steered into a bay with their ships. There w:is 
an island out at the mouth of the bay, about which there were strong 
currents, wherefore they called it Straumey (Stream Isle). There 
were so many birds there that it was scarcely possible to step 
between the eggs. They sailed through the Firth, and called it 
Straum Fiord (or Stream Firth), and carried their cargoes ashore 
from the ships, and established themselves there. 

" They had brought with them all kinds of livestock. It 
was a fine country there. There were mountains thereabouts. 
They occupied themselves exclusively with the exploration of 
that country. They remained there during the winter, and they 
had taken no thought for this during the summer. The fish 



began to fail, and they began to fall short for food. Then 
Thorhall, the huntsman, disappeared. They had already prayed 
to God for food, but it did not come as promptly as their necessity 
seemed to demand. They searched for Thorhall for three half 
days, and found him on a projecting crag. He was lying there 
and looking up at the sky, with mouth and nostrils agape, and 
mumbling something. They asked him why he had gone 
thither. He replied that this did not concern anyone. They 
asked him then to go home with them, and he did so." Note — 
(Apparently he had found something upon which he had become 
intoxicated ) . 

" The weather then improved, and they could now row out 
to fish, and thenceforward they had no lack of provisions, for 
they could hunt game on the land, gather eggs on the island, and 
catch fish from the sea." Note — (The location of this cape, 
with its many strands, with the islands about, and this bay into 
which they sailed, and on the shores of which they passed the 
winter, is all uncertain. Some have placed it as far north as the 
southern shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, others at different 
points between there and Cape Cod, the local historians of each 
district seeming anxious that their own country should be the one 
thus distinguished, and finding arguments in each case to support 
the theory, but wherever this point was, it was not, as we shall 
see, Vineland, for the story in the Saga continues,) 

" It is now to be told of Karl Sefni that he cruised south- 
ward off the coast with Snorri and Biarni and their people. They 
sailed for a long time, and until they came at last to a river, 
which flowed down from the land into a lake, and so into the 
sea." Note — (This was Vineland). "There were great bars 
at the mouth of the river, so that it could only be entered at the 
height of the flood tide. Karl Sefni and his men sailed into the 
mouth of the river, and called it there Hop (A Small Land 
Locked Bar) . They found self-sown wheat fields on the land 
there wherever there were hollows, and wherever there was hilly 
ground, there were vines. Every brook there was full of fish. 
They dug pits on the shore where the tide rose highest, and when 
the tide fell, there were halibut in the pits. There were great 
numbers of wild animals of all kinds in the woods. They 
remained there half a month, and enjoyed themselves, and kept 
no watch. 

8 



" Now one morning early, when they looked about them, 
they saw a great number of skin canoes, and staves were bran- 
dished from the boats with a noise like flails, and they were 
revolved in the same direction in which the sun moves. Then 
said Karl Sefni ' What may this betoken ?' Snorri Thorbrandson 
answers him, ' It may be that this is a signal of peace, wherefore 
let us take a white shield and display it,' and thus they did. 
Thereupon the strangers rowed toward them, and went upon the 
land, marvelling at those whom they saw before them. They 
were swarthy men, and ill-looking, and the hair of their heads 
was ugly. They had great eyes, and were broad of cheek. They 
tarried there for a time, looking curiously at the people they saw 
before them and then rowed away to the southward around the 
point. 

"Karl Sefni and his followers had built their huts above 
the lake, some of their dwellings being near the lake, and 
others farther away. Now they remained there that winter. No 
snow came there, and all of their livestock lived by grazing." 
Note — (Several incidents are mentioned as occurring during 
the winter, but nothing more to give information regarding the 
place.) 

"But in the spring," the narrative continues, "it now 
seemed clear to Karl Sefni and his people that although the 
country thereabouts was attractive, their life would be one of 
constant dread and turmoil, by reason of the (hostilities of the) 
inhabitants of the country, so they forthwith prepared to leave, 
and determined to return to their own country. They sailed to 
the northward off the coast." 

This is the account which is given in the Saga of Eric the 
Red. 

The other authoritative book, called the Flatey Book, after 
the name of an early owner, was written about 1390. After 
describing the settlement of Greenland by Eric, saying nothing 
of the discovery of America by Leif, the son of Eric, it reports 
Biarni as the one who first saw the American continent. But in 
regard to the voyage so fully described in the Saga, wherein they 
sought to revisit that land which had already been discovered, 
this book describes it as follows : 



*" They put the ship in order, and when they were ready, 
hey sailed out to sea, and found first that land which Biarni and 
lis shipmates found last. They sailed up to the land and cast 
mchor, and launched a boat, and went ashore, and saw no grass, 
ind great ice mountains lay inland, back from the sea, and it was 
lat rock all the way from the sea to the ice mountains. And the 
:ountry seemed to them to be entirely devoid of good qualities, 
rhen said Leif, 'To this country I will now give a name,' and 
;alled it Helluland (the land of flat stones). They returned to 
he ship and put out to sea, and sighted a second land. This 
vas a level, wooded land. Then said Leif, 'This land shall have 
I name after its nature. We will call it Markland or Forest 
L,and.' They returned to the ship forthwith, and sailed away 
ipon the main, with northeast wind, and were out two days 
)efore they sighted land. They sailed toward this land, and 
:ame to an island which lay to northward off the land, and they 
tvent ashore and looked about them, the weather being fine, and 
;hey observed that there was dew upon the grass." 

Note — It will be found that this land was probably Cape 
Cod, and the fact of there being an island to the northward is 
explained by our knowledge that in those days what are now 
shoals off the coast of Cape Cod were many of them islands pro- 
jecting above the surface of the sea. It is a well known fact that 
fishermen upon those shoals frequently find their lines entangled 
in the branches and roots of trees upon the bottom, which were 
growing when the islands projected themselves above the sur- 
face. It was probably upon one of those islands that they landed 
for a tin-^e. 

"They went aboard their ship again, and sailed into a 
certain Sound which lay between the island and the cape which 
jutted out from the land on the north, and they stood in wester- 
ing past the cape. 

"At ebb tide there were broad reaches of shallow water 
there, and tliey ran their ship aground, and it was a longdistance 
from the ship to the ocean, yet they were so anxious to go ashore 
that they could not wait until the tide should rise under their 
ship, but hastened to the land, where a certain river flows out 



•From the translation in " The Finding of Wineland the Good." Reeves, p. 

10 



from a lake. As soon as the tide rose beneath their ship, how- 
ever, they took the boat and rowed to the ship which they con- 
veyed up the river, and so into the lake, where they cast anchor, 
and carried their hammocks ashore from the ship, and built them- 
selves booths there. They afterwards determined to establish 
themselves there for the winter, and they accordingly built a 
large house. There was no lack of salmon there either in the 
river or in the lake, and larger salmon than they had ever seen 
before. 

' ' The country thereabouts seemed to be possessed of such 
good qualities that cattle would need no fodder there during the 
winter. There was no frost there in the winters, and the grass 
withered but little. The days and nights there were of more 
nearly equal length than in Greenland or Iceland. On the 
shortest day of winter the sun was up between half past seven 
and half past four." 

These seem to be the main points of the description of Vin- 
land, for although considerably more is written of the events 
which transpired, there is nothing to add to our conception of 
the place. Whether there was one journey or several, it is 
difficult to state ; whether one winter or three or four were passed 
at Vinland, we also find it hard to definitely determine ; but that 
a place was visited, and for some time dwelt in, which was upon 
the shore of a lake so-called, (which we would call a bay) with a 
narrow entrance from the ocean, and which had certain peculiari- 
ties of which I shall speak later, there seems no doubt whatever. 
Naturally where there is so much indefiniteness, it is very easy to 
fit the description to almost any of the bays along the coast, and 
local historians, inspired by zeal for their own districts, have 
been found to claim the honor associated with the idea of Vinland 
as belonging to almost every bay from Nova Scotia to New York. 

It is but fair to say that there has been discussion as to 
whether all or any of these voyages really came to Vinland at 
all — whether that fabled spot was not only seen by Eric when he 
lost his way. Yet the probability seems to be that we are safe 
in taking these descriptions as pertaining to Vinland. 

There are several characteristics of these voyages and of the 
country to which they came which enable us to come to a fair 
conclusion. Almost all the voyages started from Greenland, and 

11 



from the length of time which was taken, it is pretty well 
agreed that the first land which they came to, — the land which 
they declared was covered with large, flat stones, — was Labrador, 
which they called " Helluland." Thence they sailed for two 
days, and found a land wooded and with many animals, which 
they called "Markland." This also was possibly either the 
southern part of Labrador, or more probably the shore of New- 
foundland. 

Then we are told, "They sailed /<?;' a long time in a south- 
westerly direction, after leaving the country of Markland." 
This statement gives but a very indefinite idea, and may apply, 
as far as the distance is concerned, to any place west of New- 
foundland. 

But we find that after this sail of considerable time, they 
came to a cape, where there were long beaches of sand, beyond 
which the land was heavily indented with bays, and there were 
islands, around which were very strong currents. 

What place so well fits this description as Cape Cod? 

A definite idea, also, of the land at which they arrived is 
given in the description of some of these voyages that the coun- 
try was heavily covered with wild grapes, and with self-grown 
wheat. Wild grapes have been found as far north as the coast of 
Maine, but in greater abundance in the neighborhood of Cape 
Cod. 

It is also stated that the climate of this place to which they 
came was mild, that there was no snow, and the cattle were 
enabled to graze all the winter. Such winters have been known 
on the island of Rhode Island; but hardly east of us, and though 
perhaps in comparison with the cold of Greenland, any place 
south of Newfoundland would be considered comparatively free 
from snow, yet the grazing of the cattle seems to designate such 
a mild climate as ours. 

One other particular of the climate gives an intimation in 
regard to the latitude, namely, that the day began, as we inter- 
pret it, at half past seven and ended at half past four, which 
would correspond with the length of the winter day in southern 
New England. 

The descriptions which are given of the river up which they 
sailed, and the lake into which the river led them, and various 

12 



other peculiarities, might apply with equal force to almost any 
indentation of the coast. 

In the transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, pub- 
lished in 1891, there is a long article by Sir Daniel Wilson, 
President of the University of Toronto, with the title "The Vin- 
land of the Northmen," in which he declares that the statement 
that Vinland the Good was in the latitude where the shortest day 
the sun rose about eight o'clock is the sole data on which all 
subsequent attempts to determine the geographical location of 
Vinland have been based, and this corresponds, he says, with the 
forty-ninth degree of latitude, and denotes the situation of New- 
foundland or the River St. Lawrence, and the conclusion natur- 
ally follows in his mind that it was in that neighborhood some- 
where that Vinland was located. 

But this seems a very small foundation upon which to erect 
an elaborate edifice, inasmuch as the words used in the Saga to 
represent the times of the rising and setting of the sun do not 
correspond with the hours of our day, and scholars have differed 
in their interpretation, some making their day to begin as early 
as six o'clock, and some as late as nine. We believe that the 
best authorities place it at half past seven, but there is not suffi- 
cient certainty to establish upon that one argument alone the 
location of the place. Other evidences, such as the form of the 
bay, the nature of the soil and its productions, vines, grapes, 
wheat, the characteristics of the natives, and the description of 
the land, especially the prominent cape of sand which they passed 
on their way, would seem to be far more useful in furnishing us 
with an idea as to its location. 

Professor William Hovgaard of the Massachusetts Institute 
of Technology, in the latest book on the subject, "The Voyages 
of the Norsemen to America," published in 1914, page 239, 
places Vinland "somewhere on the east coast of southern Labra- 
dor." 

In the publications of the Maine Historical Society, Dr. J. 
H. Cole has expressed his conviction that Vinland was some- 
where upon the coast of that state, while Professor Eben Norton 
Horsford of Cambridge has published an elaborate book to prove 
that Massachusetts was the Vinland of the Norsemen, and that 
upon the Charles River were erected the buildings in which they 

13 



dwelt, and some remains which he has unearthed he declares to 
be evidence of the correctness of his theory. 

But we can not help feeling that each of these scholars was 
impressed more with the spirit of local pride than with the broad, 
unprejudiced idea of discovering the truth. Undoubtedly any 
one of these places would fit the description in part, but none will 
do so entirely. The fairest judgment perhaps can be pronounced 
by scholars from a distauce without local prejudice, and this is 
the conclusion of Professor Rafn of Copenhagen, a distinguished 
Danish scholar. 

"It is," he says, "the total result of the nautical, geographi- 
cal and astronomical evidence in the original documents which 
places the situations of the country discovered beyond all doubt. 
The number of days' sail between the several newly found lands, 
the striking description of the coast, especially the sand banks of 
Nova Scotia, and the loug beaches and downs of a peculiar ap- 
pearance on Cape Cod are not to be mistaken; in addition hereto 
we have the astronomical remark that the shortest day in Vinland 
was nine hours long, which fixes the latitude forty-one degrees, 
twenty-four minutes, ten seconds; or just that of the promon- 
tories which limit the entrance to Mount Hope Bay, where Leif's 
booths were built, and in the district around which the old 
Northmen had their head establishment, which was named by 
them Hop, or The Creek." 

Although this conclusion of Professor Rafn's was written 
some years ago, there seems, after all, to have been no arguments 
brought forward absolutely to disprove his conclusion. Especi- 
ally since one of the latest writers, William Babcock in an article 
entitled "Early Norse Visits to North America," published in 
1912, Vol. 59, section 19, of Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collec- 
tions, writes: 

"Hop, their most southern point, was either on the eastern 
coast of New England, below Maine, or in Narragansett Bay, 
with a slight preponderance of probability for the latter." 

We, then, as loyal Newporters, may believe that indications 
point more clearly to this bay than to any other; that the cape of 
the Wonder Strands was Cape Cod, with its long and wide sandy 
beaches, its tremendous tides, and its dangerous shoals, and that 
the many islands to which they came after leaving the cape were 

14 



the island of Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Isles, while 
the bay into which they sailed, and where they spent the follow- 
ing winter, was Narragansett Bay, where the mildness of the 
weather exceeds that which can be found anywhere north of this 
region. 

We shall see from the visits of later explorers that the 
Indians of this island were not at the time of their visits of a 
savage nature, but it is quite likely that during the five centuries 
which followed this supposed visit of the Norsemen, the Indian 
tribes may have entirely changed. 

In regard to the vines and wheat which were found growing 
so profusely, we can not lay claim to anything more than perhaps 
greater fertility than could be found further north and as we have 
said the statement that there came no snow in the land would 
seem also to apply more particularly to this island than to any of 
the surrounding country, for as we all know, there are many 
winters in which we have practically none at all. 

In conclusion, while we should like to affirm that this island 
was the spot visited by the Norsemen, all we can say is that it 
was more likely than any other region to have been that cele- 
brated country called Vinland the Good. 

Perhaps, therefore, with a fair degree of probability we can 
imagine the waters of this quiet bay disturbed by the ships of the 
Norsemen, about the year looo, and that the first acquaintance 
which the native Indians had with Europeans was with these 
hardy mariners, who left their impress and their fame through 
all the coast country from here to Greenland, to Iceland, and 
upon the rugged shores of northern Europe. 

I have said nothing regarding the old Stone Mill, nor that 
curious inscription upon the rock which is called the Dighton 
Stone, to the north of us, because these seem after careful inves- 
tigation to have no connection whatever with the visit of the 
Norsemen to our shores. When they sailed away to their own 
country, they left no evidences, so far as we know, of their visit, 
and the shores of the bay became as wild and as still as though 
there had been no visitors from the other hemisphere. 



15 



VERRAZANO'S VISIT 

Vox five hundred years after the departure of these hardy ex- 
florers from the north, the shores of this bay were untrodden by 
European feet, and its waters stirred by no vessel larger than the 
anoes of the natives. But soon after 1492 — the year of the 
amous voyage of Columbus — other parts of our coast had become 
amiliar to the European explorers. Spaniards, French and Eng- 
ish had followed in the wake of Columbus, and had explored the 
ountry from the West Indies along the coast as far as the Caro- 
inas, and some even had sailed into Chesapeake Bay. 

To the north of us only the Cabots, father and son, had 
allowed the path marked out by the Norsemen, and visited our 
ar northern coasts. In 1498 Sebastian Cabot had carried his ex- 
plorations as far south as Cape Cod. But although it is probable 
hat he sailed across the water from the Nantucket Shoals to 
'hesapeake Bay, it is not likely that either he or any other ex- 
ilorers at that time visited the beautiful bay of New York, or the 
till more beautiful bay of Narragansett. 

It was in 1524 that the first account of this bay was written, 
ly Verrazano, a distinguished Florentine explorer. 

It will be remembered that the explorations from the south 
lad reached no further north than Chesapeake Bay, and voyagers 
rom the north had examined the coast only as far south as Cape 
2od or Martha's Vineyard. Between these two points, Martha's 
/ineyard and the Chesapeake, existed an absolutely unknown 
ountry, and many geographers of that day in Europe believed 
hat the long desired route to the East Indies would be found 
)etween those two points. 

Francis the First of France determined to take a prominent 
)art in these investigations, and he engaged Verrazano to lead a 
French expedition, in the hope of both discovering this passage 
Cathay, and also coming upon lands which might prove to the 
French as productive of wealth as the West Indies and South 
\merica and Central America had been to the Spaniards. 

Giovanni de Verrazano was born in Florence in 1480, and 
jeems early in life to have become a sailor. His first experience 
it sea was as a corsair, or privateer, as were so many of the 

16 



enterprising sailors of that day. Indeed he continued in this 
business until having attracted the attention of Francis the First, 
he was engaged by him upon this voyage of exploration. His 
own description of his discoveries is contained in a letter which 
he wrote to King Francis, dated at Dieppe July 8, 1524. When 
or in what language this letter was first published we do not 
know. The first English translation of it appears in a collection 
of voyages printed by Hakluyt in 1582, and is the first and most 
highly valued, and the rarest of the many publications which he 
issued. It is noticeable that this account is the first description 
printed in English of any part of what is now known as the 
United States. 

The letter is of such great interest that I am tempted to 
quote quite fully from it; using this first English translation pub- 
lished in 1852 by Richard Hakluyt in his first book "Diverse 
Voyages to America." 

*'To the most christian King of France, Francis the First, 
the relation of John Verrazano, a Florentine, of the land by him 
discovered in the name of His Magestie, written on the 8th of 
July, 1524. 

"I wrote not to Your Magestie, most christian King, since 
the time we suffered the tempest in the north parts, of the 
success of the four ships which Your Magestie sent forth to dis- 
cover new lands by the ocean, thinking Your Magestie had been 
already informed thereof. Now, by these presents, I v>^ill give 
Your Magestie to understand how, by the violence of the winds, 
we were forced with the two ships, the Norman and the Dolphin, 
in such evil case as they were, to land in Britaine (Brittany). 
Where, after we had repaired them in all points as was needed, 
and armed them very well, we took our course along by the coast 
of Spaine. Afterwards with the Dolphin alone we determined to 
make discovery of the new countries, to prosecute the navigation 
we had already begun, which I purpose at this present to recount 
to Your Magestie, to make manifest the whole proceeding of the 
matter. The 15th of January, the year 1524, by the grace of 
God, we departed from the dishabited rock by the Isle of Madera, 
appertaining to the King of Portingall, with fifty men, with 
victuals, weapons, and other ship munitions, very well provided 
and furnished for eight moneths, (sic) , and sailing westwards, with 

17 



a fair easterly wind, in twenty-five days we ran five hundred 
leagues, and the 20th of February, we were overtaken with as 
sharp and terrible a tempest as ever any sailor suffered, whereof 
with the Divine help and merciful assistance of Almighty God, 
and the goodness of our ship, accompanied with the good hap 
of her fortunate name, (Dolphin was in French Dauphine) we 
were delivered, and with a prosperous wind, followed our course 
west and by north, and in twenty-five days we made about four 
hundred leagues more, where we discovered a new land, never 
before seen of any man, either ancient or modern, and at the 
first sight it seemed somewhat low, but being within a quarter of 
a league of it, we perceived by the great fires that we saw by the 
seacoast that it was inhabited." NoTE — (This seems to have 
been the coast of New Jersey, and only by a few miles did they 
fail to discover the Chesapeake Bay, for after running a few 
leagues to the south, they turned their ship to the north). "And 
sailing forwards we found certain small rivers and arms of the sea 
that entered certain creeks, washing the shore on both sides as the 
coast lieth, and beyond this we saw the open country rise in 
height above the land, with many fair fields and plains full 
of mighty great woods, replenished with diverse sorts of trees, 
as pleasant and as delectable to behold as is possible to imagine." 
(This would appear to be the Navesink Highlands and the 
entrance to New York Bay). "The land," he writes, "is full 
of many beasts, as stags, deer and hares, likewise of lakes and 
pools, fresh water, with great plenty of fowls convenient for all 
kind of pleasant game. This land is in latitude thirty-four 
Note — (apparently an error) with good and wholesome air, 
temperate, between hot and cold. Sea is calm, the waves gentle, 
and although all the shore be somewhat low here, it is not danger- 
ous to the sailors, being free from rocks and deep, so that within 
four or five feet of the shore it is twenty foot deep of water, with- 
out ebb or flow. We departed from this place, still running 
along the coast, which we found turned toward the east, while 
we rode on that coast, partly because it had no harbor ; and for 
that we wanted water, we sent our boat ashore with twenty-five 
men, where, by reason of great and continuous waves that beat 
against the shore, being an open coast, without succor none of 
our men could possibly get ashore without losing our boat." 

18 



Note — (This evidently is the shore of Long Island.) "Depart- 
ing from thence, followed the shore, which trended somewhat 
towards the north." Note— (Here he was evidently ronnding 
Montauk Point). "In fifty leagues' space Note— (from New 
York bay) we came to another land, which showed much more 
fair, and full of woods, being very great, where we rode at 
anchor, and that we might have some knowledge thereof, we sent 
twenty men aland, which entered into the country about two 
leagues." Note — (From further descriptions this would appear 
to be the entrance to Long Island Sound, and where they landed, 
either the eastern end of Long Island or the present location of 
New London.) "Leaving this land, to our great discontentment, 
for the great commodity and pleasantness thereof, which we sup- 
pose is not without some riches, all the hills showing mineral 
matters in them, we weighed anchor and sailed toward the east, 
for so the coast trended. And so always for fifty leagues 
but in the sight thereof, we discovered an island in form of a 
triangle, distant from the mainland three leagues, about the 
bigness of the Isle of Rhodes. It was full of hills, covered with 
trees, well peopled, for we saw fires all along the coast. We 
gave the name of it of Your Magestie's mother, not stopping 
there by reason of the weather being contrary." Note — (This 
was Block Island. The name of the King's mother was Louisa, 
his wife's name Claudia ; both names were for a short time asso- 
ciated with this island, which was later and permanently called 
for its first European visitor.) 

He now proceeds describing their visit to this bay. 

" And we came to another land, being fifteen leagues dis- 
tant from the island, where we found a passing good haven, 
Note -(our outer harbor) wherein being entered, we found 
about twenty small boats of the people, which, with diverse cries 
and wonderings, came about our ship, coming no nearer than 
fifty paces toward us. They stayed and beheld the artificialness 
of our ship, our shape and apparel, then they all made a loud 
shout together, declaring that they rejoiced. When we had 
something animated them, using their jests, they came so near 
us that we cast them certain bells and glasses and many toys, 
which, when they had received they looked on them with laugh- 
ing, and came without fear aboard our ship. There were amongst 

19 



lese people two kings of so goodly stature and shape as is possi- 
le to declare. The eldest was about forty years of age, the 
icond was a young man of twenty years old. Their apparel 
as on this manner. The elder had upon his naked body a 
art's skin, wrought artificially with diverse branches, like 
amask. His head was bare, with the hair tied up behind with 
i verse knots. About his neck he had a large chain, garnished 
'ith diverse stones of sundry colors. The young man was 
Imost appareled after the same manner. This is the goodliest 
eople, and of the fairest conditions, that we have found in this 
ur voyage. They exceed us in bigness, they are of the color of 
rass, some of them inclined more to whiteness, others are of a 
ellow color, of comely visage, with long and black hair, which 
ley are very careful to trim and deck up. They are black and 
uick eyed. I write not to your Magestie of the other part of 
leir body, for all is of such proportion as appertains to any 
audsome man. The women are of the like conformity and 
eauty, very handsome and well favored. They are as well 
lannered and continent as any women of good education. They 
over themselves with a deer skin, branched or embroidered, as 
3e men use. There are also of them which were on the': arms 
ery rich skins of leopards. They adorn their heads with diverse 
rnaments made of their own hair, which hang down before and 
oth sides of their breasts. Others use other ways of dressing 
lemselves, like unto the women of Egypt and Syria. These 
re of the elder sort, and when they are married, they wear 
i verse toys, according to the usage of the people of the east, as 
'^ell men as women. 

"Among whom we saw some plates of wrought copper, 
^hich they esteem more than gold, which for the color they make 
o account of, for that, among all other, it is counted the basest, 
'hey make most account of azure and red. The things which 
ley esteemed most of all those which we gave them were bells, 
rystal, of azure color, and other toys to hang at their ears 
r about their neck. They did not desire cloth of silk or of gold, 
mch less of any other sort. Neither cared they for things made 
f steel and iron, which we often showed them in our armor, 
diich they made no wonder at, and in beholding them, they only 
sked the art of making them. The like they did at our glasses, 

20 



which, when they beheld, they suddenly laughed and gave them 
us again. They are very liberal, for they give that which they 
have. We became great friends with these, and one day we 
entered into the haven with our ship, whereas before we rode a 
league off at sea, by reason of the contrary weather." Note — 
(The haven is believed by all scholars to have been our inner 
harbor, inside the Torpedo Station). "They came in great 
companies of their small boats into the ship, with their faces all 
bepainted with diverse colors, showing us that it was a sign of 
joy, bringing us of their victuals. They made signs to us where 
we might safest ride in the haven, for the safeguard of our ship, 
keeping still our company. And after we were come to an 
anchor, we bestowed fifteen days in providing ourselves many 
necessary things. Nearly every day the people repassed to see 
our ship, bringing their wives with them, whereof they are very 
jealous, and they themselves entering aboard the ship, and stay- 
ing there a good space, caused their wives to stay in their boats, 
and for all the entreaty we could make them, offering to give 
them diverse things, we could never obtain that they would 
suffer them to come aboard our ship. And oftentimes one of the 
two kings, coming with his queen and many gentlemen for their 
pleasure, to see us, they all stayed on the shore two hundred 
paces from us, sending a final boat to give us intelligence of their 
coming, saying they would come to see our ship. This they did 
in token of safety, and as soon as they had answer from us, they 
came immediately, and having stayed a while to behold it, they 
wondered at hearing the cries and noise of the mariners. The 
queen and her maids stayed in a very light boat at an island a 
quarter of a league off, while the king abode a long space in our 
ship, uttering diverse conceits with gestures, viewing with great 
admiration all the furniture of the ship, demanding the property 
of everything particularly. He took likewise great pleasure in 
beholding our apparel, and in tasting our meats, and so courte- 
ously taking his leave, departed. And sometimes our men, stay- 
ing for two or three days on a little island near the ship, for 
diverse necessaries as for the use of seamen, he returned with 
seven or eight of his gentlemen to see what we did, and asked of 
us oftimes if we meant to make any long abode, and offering us 
of their provision. Then the king, drawing his bow and running 

21 



• and down with his gentlemen, made much sport to gratify our 
2n. We were oftentimes within the land five or six leagues," 
DTE — (This would seem to include our own island of Rhode 
land.) "which we found as pleasant as is possible to declare, 
ry apt for any kind of husbandry, of corn, wine and oil, for 
ere are plains twenty-five or thirty leagues broad, open and 
thout any impediment of trees, of such fruitfulness that any 
2d being sown therein will bring forth most excellent fruit, 
e entered afterwards into the woods, which we found so great 
d thick that any army, were it never so great, might have hid 
elf therein. The trees thereof are oaks, cypress trees, and 
her sorts unknown in Europe. We found pomi appit, damson 
ies, and other trees, and many other sorts of fruits differing 
)m ours. There are beasts in great abundance, as harts, deers, 
)pards, and other kinds which they take with their nets and 
ws, which are their chief weapons. The arrows which they 
e are made with great cunning, and instead of iron, they head 
em with smerigho, with sharpened stone and hard marble, and 
her sharp stones, which they use instead of iron to cut trees, 
id make their boats of one whole piece of wood, making it 
)llow, with great and wonderful art, wherein ten or twelve men 
ay be commodiously . Their oars are short, and broad at the end, 
id they use them in the sea without any danger and by main 
rce of arms Note — (as the Indians always paddled), with as 
eat speediness as they lift themselves (probably meaning run.) 
'e saw their houses, made in circular or round form, ten or 
^elve foot in compass, made with half circles of timber, separate 
le from another, without any order of building, covered with 
ats of straw, wrought cunningly together, which save them 
om the wind and rain, and if they had the order of building and 
^rfect skill of workmanship as we have, there were no doubt but 
at they would also make eftsoones great and stately buildings. 
3r all the seacoasts are full of clear and glittering stones and 
abaster, and therefore it is full of good havens and harbor for 
lips. They move the foresaid houses from one place to another, 
;cording to the commodity of the place and the season, wherein 
ley will make their abode, and only taking of the cover. They 
ive other houses builded incontinent. The father and the 
hole family dwell together in one house in great numbers ; in 

22 



some of them we saw twenty-five or thirty persons. They feed 
of pulse, which do grow in that country with better order of 
husbandry than in the others. They observe in their sowing the 
course of the moon and the rising of certain stars, and diverse 
other customs spoken of by antiquity. Moreover they live by 
hunting and fishing, they live long and are seldom sick, and if 
they chance to fall sick at any time, they heal themselves with 
fire, without any physician, and they say that they die for very 
age. They are very pitiful and charitable towards their neigh- 
bors, they make great lamentations in their adversity, and in 
their misery the kindred reckon up all their felicity. At their 
departure out of life, they use mourning mixed with singing, 
which continueth for a long space. This is as much as we could 
learn of them. This land is situated in the parallel of Rome in 
forty-one degrees, two terces, but somewhat more cold, by acci- 
dental cause and not of nature (as I will declare unto Your 
Highness elsewhere). Describing at this present the situation of 
the foresaid country, which lieth east and west, I say that the 
mouth of the haven lieth open to the south half a league broad, 
and being entered within it between the east and the north, it 
stretches for two leagues, where it waxeth broader and broader, 
and maketh a gulf about twenty leagues in compass. Herein 
are five small islands, very fruitful and pleasant, full of high 
and broad trees, among which islands any great navy may ride 
safe without any fear of tempest or other danger. Afterwards 
turning towards the south, and entering into the haven on both 
sides, there are most pleasant hills, with many rivers of most 
clear water falling into the sea. 

"In the midst of this entrance, there is a rock of free stone, 
growing by nature, apt to build any castle or fortress there for 
the keeping of the haven." NoTE— (This is supposed by some 
to mean Goat Island, now the Torpedo Station, but it may apply 
to any of the numerous islands or points about the harbor.) 
"The first of May," Note— (he had arrived there April 21, 
1524) "being furnished with all things necessary, we departed 
from the said coast, keeping along in the sight thereof, and we 
sailed one hundred and fifty leagues, finding it always after one 
manner, but the land somewhat higher, with certain mountains, 
all which bear a show of mineral matter. We saw (visited) not 

23 



the land there in any place, because the weather served our turn 
for sailing, but we suppose that it was like to the former. Note 
— (he seems to have sailed outside of Martha's Vineyard.) The 
coast ran eastward for the space of fifty leagues, and trended after- 
wards to the north. We found another land full of thick woods, 
the trees whereof were various cypresses and such like as are 
wont to grow in cold countries." NoTE — (He had now reached 
the coast of Maine, from which he took his departure for France.) 

This most satisfactory description of our bay needs nothing 
to be added to make plain to us the condition of the country and 
the character of the natives, and it seems strange that more has 
not been made in the historical accounts of our country of this 
remarkable voyage of Verrazano. Apparently from the fact of 
its not being followed up for a century by other visitors to our 
shores, it has been passed over, while attention has been directed 
to those parts of the country which were at that time settled, and 
have been continuously occupied ever since. To the Rhode 
Islander, however, and especially the dweller in Newport, there 
is an interest and a charm in this first description of our bay, 
causing us to love to linger over it, and in imagination to picture 
to ourselves these adventurous Frenchmen and Italians wandering 
over these familiar hills. 

For one hundred years after the visit of Verrazano, there is 
no certain evidence that the waters of the bay were disturbed by 
the keel of any European Ship. It is indeed declared that 
Stephen Gomez, sent on a voyage of exploration by Emperor 
Charles the Fifth of Spain, having landed at Newfoundland, 
thence sailed to the south, and coasted along "a pretty large ex- 
tent of country, as far south as the fortieth degree of latitude," 
which would make probable his rounding Cape Cod, and perhaps 
proceeding as far as the Hudson River, which he seems to have 
called the Rio de San Antonio. But if he sailed into our bay, he 
left no account of it, and it is likely that the natives of the place 
saw nothing more of him than the passing of his ship far out 
upon the sea. This was in 1524 or 25. 

Following him came a number of fishing vessels as far as the 
Gulf of St. Lawrence and the banks of Newfoundland, and in 
15-^5 Jacques Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence to Montreal. 
But neither these, nor later explorers, so far as I have been able 

24 



to ascertain, give any evidence of having visited our bay. Bar- 
tholomew Gosnold in 1602 rounded Cape Cod, and gave it its 
name. He also gave the name of Elizabeth Islands to that row 
of isles still bearing the name, between Buzzards Bay and Vine- 
yard Sound, but even he seems to have stopped there, and to 
have come no further west. 

Soon after the year 1600 the French, under Depoutrincourt, 
pushed their way down from the east and laid claim to all the 
land as far as Cape Cod, upon which they placed the cross, and 
took possession in the name of the king of France. This claim 
did not long hold good, for soon the English established forts 
about all this country, with varying degrees of permanency. 

Henry Hudson passed by, probably within sight of the land, 
in 1609; a party of French from Mt. Dessert in 1613; and in the 
following year came one whose name will ever be associated with 
this part of the coast — Captain John Smith, who also passed by 
at sea, and gave his attention to the land further east, printing in 
his account of his voyages for the first time in any book the name 
of New England. 

But still our bay remained unvisited. 

Indeed, for some reason, this coast between Martha's Vine- 
yard and Delaware, which was the last along the shore of the 
present United States to be explored, seems to have attracted 
little attention in those days, for it had neither the fishing possi- 
bilities of the waters further east, nor the supposed wealth of 
the land in the south, and that which was later to become the 
most important part of the American coast was then left to the 
Indians and wild animals. 



25 



THE VISIT OF ADRAENE BLOECKE 

Soon after this however the Dutch, having established them- 
selves in the Island of Manhattan, engaged in explorations along 
:he coast, and in laying claim to much of the surrounding territory. 
In 1614 Adraene Bloecke, having built a small sloop which he 
:alled "The Restless," sailed from New York upon a tour of 
exploration, passed through Long Island Sound, came out into the 
ocean, and landed upon the island which now bears his name, of 
which he then took possession in the name of the Dutch republic. 

Though I have been unable to obtain a copy of the report of 
A-draene Bloecke, there are published in the Proceedings of the 
N^ew York Historical Society extracts from the book called De 
Leafs New World, which was published by the Elzevirs in 1644, 
md gives a description of the region about Manhattan, obtained 
:rom various authors. In it the description by Captain Bloecke 
3f our bay is thus given. 

* '' 'To the north of these islands (Block Island), and within 
the mainland, is situated the river or bay of Nassau (Narragan- 
sett Bay), which lies from the above named Bloecke's Island 
northeast by east, and southwest by west.' This bay or river of 
Massau is apparently very large and wide, and according to the 
iescription of Captain Bloecke, must be fully nine miles in width, 
[t has in the midst of it a number of islands, which one may p jss 
:>n either side. It extends east northeast about twenty-four miles, 
after which it is not more than two petard shots wide, and has 
a^enerally seven, eight, nine, five and four fathoms of water, ex- 
:ept in a strait in the uppermost part of the ba\ , at a petard's 
shot distance from the island in that direction, where there is but 
nine feet water. Beyond this strait, we have again three and a 
tialf fathoms of water; the land in this vicinity ai^pears very fine, 
md the inhabitants seem strong of limb, and of moder.ite sizf. 
They are somewhat shy, however, since they are not accustomed 
:o trade with strangers, who would otherwise go there in quest of 
beaver and fox skins, etc., for which they resort to other phicts 
in that quarter. 



♦New York Historical Collections — New Series — 1841, v. I, p. 293. 

26 



"From the westerly passage into this bay of Nassau, to the 
most southerly entrance of Anchor Bay. NoTE— (perhaps Vine- 
yard Haven) the distance is twenty-one miles, according to the 
statement of our skippers, and the course is southeast and north- 
west. Our countrymen have given two names to this bay, as it has 
an island in the center, and discharges into the sea by two mouths, 
the most easterly of which they call Anchor Bay, and the most wes- 
terly Sloop Bay. The southeast shore of this bay runs north- 
east by north, and north northeast. In the lower part of the bay 
dwell the Wappenocks, a nation of savages like the rest. Cap- 
tain Adraene Bloecke called the people who inhabit the west side 
of this bay Nahicans, and their sagamore Nathattow, another 
chief who is named Cachaquant. Toward the northwest side 
there is a sandy point with a small island bearing east and west, 
and bending so as to form a handsome bay with a sandy bottom. 
On the right of the sandy point there is more than two fathoms 
water. From Sloop Bay, or the most westerly passage, it is 
twenty-four miles to the Great Bay (Long Island Sound)." 

It will have been noticed that according to this account of 
Bloecke's description of the bay, he gave it the name of Nassau 
Bay. This seems to have been the first name attributed to this 
body of water by any of the explorers. The name from that time 
on varied, some explorers giving new names, and some confusing 
the names which others had given. 

Mr. Howard Millar Chapin, Librarian of the Rhode Island 
Historical Sf^ciety, has lately issued a Cartography of Rhode 
Island, in which he gives a very full description of the different 
titles which have been associated with the bay and the different 
parts of the bay. 

He says that in tlie map called the Dutch Figurative Map of 
1616, based upon the explorations of Bloecke, the Sakonnet River 
is called the Nieuwe Rivier, the Pawtucket is called Oester 
Riviertjen, and Mount Hope is called Genseeyland. Sloup Bay, 
he says, "appeals across East Green wish, evidently intended to 
signifv the west pari of Narragansett Bay. 

"The next map of this part of the country is that drawn by 
Anthony Jacobsz in 1621, on which he shows and names Oost 
Rivier and Slotrp Hay, and B. deNassou, a name which he applies 



27 



to the Sakonnet River, thus supplanting the Nieuwe River of the 
Figurative Map. 

"On deLaet's map of 1630, Rhode Island is shown as an 
island (for the first time), and Sloup Bey, which is variously 
spelled by the Dutch map makers, is given as Chaloup Bay. 
Asher states that deLaet applied the name Anker Bay to part of 
Narragansett Bay, but this name does not appear upon the deLaet 
maps which I have examined. There are, indeed, considerable 
differences in some of the various editions of the early Dutch 
maps." 

Most map makers for some time followed deLaet's map, and 
the middle section of Narragansett Bay continued to be called 
Ancker Bay, while the west passage and the Sakonnet River are 
called respectively Chaloep Bay and Bay Van Nassouwe. In 
most of these maps Conanicut is misplaced to the east of Rhode 
Island, and called the I di Nassaw, so that the name of Nassau 
seems to be associated almost entirely with the eastern passage of 
the Sakonnet River, while the general middle section of the bay 
is called Anchor Bay. 

Bristol Harbor is later given the name of Golfo, from which 
the western shore of Narragansett Bay is called Bcadelgolfo. 

"The earliest map to show Conanicut and Rhode Island in 
correct relation to each other is Colon's map, to which Ryder 
gives the date of 1648. Here Rhode Island appears as an island, 
and Conanicut is peculiarly misshapen. 

"In the Visscher map of 1656, the name Rio Nassoui is ap- 
plied to the west shore of the bay, at the south of which appears 
the Sloep Baye. 

"By 1784 the names were pretty fairly attributed. The 
Van Keulen chart of that date, which is preserved in the Boston 
Public Library, bears the names of Newport, Warren and Rhode 
Island Harbor. 

"All these Dutch maps insisted on retaining the Dutch 
names, but already in 1634 the first English map, that of William 
Wood, gives the name Narrogansetts Bay, which seems to be its 
first appearance in printed form. 

"In the English map of Woodward and Saffery of 1642, 
Providence and Seekonk Plain appear. Again in 1675 John 
Sellers combines the Dutch designation of Challops Bay with that 

28 



of Naragansick Bay. He also gives us Providence River, East 
Ham, Wickford, Portsmouth, Pocasset, Couanicut Island, War- 
wick, Prudence Island, and Piuda." 

It seems hardly necessary to follow the peculiar spelling of 
the names on the different maps and publications from this date, 
though two prominent maps referred to by Mr. Chapin deserve 
notice. The map in Cotton Mather's "Magnalia" "adds Patiente 
Island and Potuxet River. Wickford is misplaced at Narragan- 
sett Pier, while Buls appears north of Wickford." 

The other chart is that prepared by British naval officers in 
1720, of which Mr. Chapin says, 

"Narragansett Bay is shown as an almost square body of 
water, with its islands grossly misdrawn and misplaced. The 
omission of Providence, which is supplanted by Attleborough, is 
the most striking feature of the chart. The ocean south of New- 
port is called the Sea of Rhoad Island, while the mouth of the 
Pawcatuck is called Mount Prospect Inlett. Two descriptive 
notes read as follows: 

" 'Rhoad Island, a Garden of Farms, Navigable for small 
Vessels, and a place of great Trade ; the Ebbing and Flewing is 
small.' " 

"This inaccurate chart," he adds, "served as a basis for the 
less elaborate charts that later appeared in the various editions 
of the English pilot. That of 1731 changed the name of Point 
Judei to Point Judith." 

Though many maps have been issued since then, with gradu- 
ally increasing accuracy, there have been no noticeable changes in 
the nomenclature, which stands today practically as it did then. 

After the visit of Adraene Bloecke, I have been able to 
obtain no account of any visit of a ship to this bay, although 
there is no doubt that the Dutchmen from New Amsterdam 
traded continually with the Indians, especially those in the 
Narragansett country, and the name of Dutch Island, attached as 
we know to an island to the west of Couanicut, bears evidence 
of the visits of these people. The records of Plymouth Colony 
also refer to their sending vessels to trade with the Indians in the 
bay. 

It is interesting to note that in a map published in 1700, 
which has come into my possession, the dividing line between 

29 



New Belgium, as it was called, and Nova Anglia, or New Eng- 
land, is drawn down through the center of our bay, showing that 
the Dutchmen claimed all the country wisst of us. The lines of 
division between the different provinces were then very uncertain 
and variable, and it was some years before it was definitely 
settled and acknowledged by all that the whole of Narragansett 
Bay belonged to England. 

We are thus brought to the end of this uncertain period in 
the history of our bay, to the time when Blackstone and Roger 
Williams, and our own predecessors under John Clarke and 
Coddington, bought all this land from the Indians, and made a 
permanent settlement here, turning the wilderness into a place 
of civilized habitation. 



SOCIETY NOTES 



The history of the Society, al- 
most since its commencement, has 
been associated with the name of 
Tilley, Mr. R. H. TiUey having 
been for many years the librarian, 
and indeed the sole official, and 
having conducted the affairs of the 
Society with marked ability. His 
interest in all things historical, and 
his knowledge of the past of New- 
port, gave luster to the early days 
of this organization, and when at 
his death the position of librarian 
was accepted by his daughter. Miss 
Edith M. Tilley, the same enthu- 
siasm and ability was manifested 
from the first in her conduct of the 
affairs of the Society. 

It is therefore with great regret 
that all the friends of the Society 
have heard that she has sent in to 



the President her resignation. 
That the loss will be very great is 
deeply appreciated by all. Indeed 
in some respects it will be impossi- 
ble to find one so well fitted for the 
place, but we can only hope, while 
wishing her the best success in 
whatever foim of work she may 
engage, that someone will be found 
to take her place, under whose 
guidance the Society may grow in 
usefulness to the community; and 
we trust that at this time of a 
change of officials, every member 
of the Society will be found aiding 
in every way to increase the pros- 
perity and usefulness of our insti- 
tution. 

Our Society is endeavoring to 
do its part in aiding the philanthro- 



30 



pic work of the Red Cross, having 
voted to offer the use of its Meet- 
ing House free of charge whenever 
needed for the purpose of that 
philanthropic institution, and al- 
ready its peculiar adaptability to 
such purposes has been proved by 
its employment for several meet- 
ings. 

It is unfortunate that the severe 
weather which we have been ex- 
periencing for the last month or 
two has put a stop to the work 
upon the porch of our building, 
which looks sad in its unfinished 
condition, but the materials are all 
on hand for its completion, as soon 
as the state of the weather will 
permit work upon it. 

The series of addresses upon 
"Distinguished Preachers Associ- 
ated with the History of Newport" 
has proved very interesting; and 
most appreciative, if not very large 
audiences have been gathered. 
The subjects do not appeal to 
those people who find their enjoy- 



ment in Movies and similar enter- 
tainments, but the serious minded 
of the community are showing 
their appreciation of the labor and 
thought which are being put into 
these papers. 

Members deceased since issue of 
last Bulletin: 
Mrs. R. H. Tilley. 
Mrs. James P. Kernochan 
Mrs. Charles C. Bombaugh. 
Mr. Julien T. Davies. 
Mr. Gibson Fahnestock. 

Members elected since last 
Bulletin: 

LIFE MEMBER 

Miss Annie B. Jennings. 

ANNUAL MEMBERS 

Miss Mary Appleton. 
Mr. Frank G. Kimball. 
Mr. John S. Watts. 

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 

Mrs. John H. Bryer. 
Mr. Henry A. Kalkman. 
Mrs Henry A. Kalkman. 
Mr. Simon Newton. 



31 



OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

For the year ending May^ igiy 



President, DANIEL B. FEARING 
First Vice-President, RODERICK TERRY 

Second Vice-President, FRANK K. STURGIS 

Third Vice-President, ALFRED TUCKERMAN 
Recording Secretary, JOHN P. SANBORN 
Corresponding Secretary, 

Treasurer, HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. 
Librarian, EDITH MAY TILLEY 
Curator of Coins and Medals, EDWIN P. ROBINSON 

Board of Directors 
THE OFFICERS and 

FOR THREE YEARS 

MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 
MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT GEORGE L. RIVES 

FOR TWO YEARS 

MRS. C. L. F. ROBINSON GEORGE V. DICKEY 

JONAS BERGNER LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE 

FOR ONE YEAR 

MRS. HAROLD BROWN WILLIAM S. SHERMAN 

MRS. RICHARD C. DERBY JOB A. PECKHAM 



BULLETIN 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

Number Twenty-Three NEWPORT, R.I. July. 1917 



ANNUAL MEETING NUMBER^ 




The Value of Collections of Articles 
of Historic Interest 

A Few Words Concerning the Usefulness of Our Museitni 



There is a mistaken impression in some minds that all col- 
lections of curios are of slight importance and serve only for 
amusement. Such people are incapable of distinguishing between 
antique objects which have an artistic or historic interest and 
those which are simply curious ; any museum to them is associ- 
ated with childish days. As one good but unimaginative lady 
remarked to me a short time ago : 

" The idea of a dignified Historical Society gathering curios. 
It should give attention to things more serious." 

What shall we say to such criticisms?. How explain our 
interest in and care for the contents of our exhibition halls? 

There is no way of recalling the past without imagining its 
scenes, and such efforts of the imagination are greatly aided by 
visible objects. The lives of men and women of other times, in 
their homes and their daily duties and pleasures, afford intima- 
tions of their characters, and these interpret the facts of history. 
Weapons used inform us as to the modes of warfare, household 
utensils as to home life, pictures and costumes give ideas of social 
and intellectual conditions. Dead civilization passes in review as 
we study their remains. Asia Minor, Egypt, Greece, Italy. 



What would we know of their golden eras were we not possessed 
of witnesses to their artistic, social and military activities 
unearthed after centuries? Antique houses, statues and armour 
bring their makers before our minds as no dry descriptions could. 

Consider our own predecessors in this city and state. Their 
names come down to us in documents, their deeds are recorded, 
but how did they act and dress? Are these questions trivial ? 
Only to the dry-as-dust statistician. Breathing, living men and 
women of today are not indifferent to the lesser facts in their lives 
which went to the making of character, and laid the foundation 
of mental and spiritual strength. 

Perhaps that one among our own relics which carries us 
back the farthest in the history of our city is the old chair once 
belonging to Governor Benedict Arnold. Simply an old-fash- 
ioned chair, but an imaginative mind can from this reconstruct 
the furniture of the house of this distinguished man, who 
governed Rhode Island nine years in all, between 1656 and 1672. 

He was the first known owner and the probable builder of 
the Old Stone Mill. The resting place of his bones is now the 
subject of barter, and we hope may be rescued from destruction. 
As we imagine this fine old man sitting in this chair, we are 
happy to know that no suspicion could enter his mind that a 
descendant of his own name should, in the hour of the greatest 
trial of the nation which he was helping to found, make that 
honored name a by- word and a hissing throughout all the nations 
of the world. 

All this, you say, we should know without possessing this 
chair. True, — but these weak minds of ours sometimes need to 
be stirred to recollection by that which our eyes behold. 

To the same period belongs the iron fire back dated 1655. 
Think of it, with only a few houses and many Indians on the 
Island, there could be such luxury ! 

How many of us know that there was once a church of the 
Moravian Brethren in Newport ? Jews, Quakers, Protestants of 
many creeds in the early days were here : perhaps it requires 
the mute witness of a chair which once was in the Moravian 
Church to lead us to unearth the history of this Christian body 
also. 

Bishop Berkeley we can not forget, but even our thoughts of 



him are made more vivid as we look upon the old latch from 
White Hall, and idly finger the now voiceless keyboard of the 
organ which he gave to Trinity Church in 1733, and are reminded 
of the peculiar views of the ecclesiastical ancestors of some of us, 
as we recall that this same organ had been refused by the Congre- 
gational Church of Berkeley, Massachusetts, as conducive to 
worldly and devilish delights. 

But we must resist the temptation to continue longer in this 
strain, for it would take a long paper to record but a few of the 
thoughts which are suggested by the hundreds of interesting 
articles contained in our Museum. These few lines are written 
in the hope that they may interest all our members in these accu- 
mulations of many years, and tend to increase in them a desire to 
understand the lives and the characters of those who have pre- 
ceded us in dwelling upon this beautiful island. 

Roderick Terry. 



ANNUAL MEETING 

The Annual Meeting of the Society was held Tuesday after- 
noon, May 22nd, the President in the chair, with a large attend- 
ance of members. 

The President in a few graceful words congratulated the 
Society upon its progress during the past year, and its possession 
of the entirely completed building, and then called for the reading 
of the minutes and the reports, which will be found in full in 
this Bulletin. 

The following resolutions of appreciation of the work done 
by the retiring librarian, Miss Tilley, were presented by Dr. 
Terry and unanimously adopted : 

Resolved, That the members of the Newport Historical 
Society, at this their Annual Meeting, having heard with great 
regret of the unwillingness of Miss Edith May Tilley to serve 
longer as librarian, desire to place upon record their appreciation 
of the devotion which she has given to the Society during the 
many years of her service in its behalf. 



On March t8, 1884, Mr. R. Hammett Tilley entered upon 
his duties as librarian of the Society, and during this past third 
of a century, the life of the Society, its success and its progress, 
have been almost entirely in the hands of that family. The 
ability and the labors of Mr. Tilley have been well recognized in 
previous Resolutions, and we are today pleased to place on record 
our full confidence that under his daughter (who upon his death 
in 1910 succeeded him) the Society has gone forward with even 
more rapid strides, and has taken a position of ever-increasing 
influence and usefulness in the community. 

In the work of organization and administration, her efforts 
have been peculiarly successful ; and through her constant com- 
munication with students of history and genealogy, she has made 
the name of this institution to be known in all parts of our coun- 
try. 

We express to Miss Tilley our earnest hopes that by the rest 
which she is seeking, her health may be entirely restored, and 
that in the work upon which she expects to enter, she may find 
pleasure and profit. 

Resolutions of thanks to the donors of the new porch in the 
front of the building, Mrs. French Vanderbilt and Dr. Terry, 
were also adopted. Hon. George Peabody Wetmore was then 
re-elected a delegate to the Gen. Nathaniel Greene Memorial As- 
sociation. 

At the close of the business meeting. Miss Simpson sang a 
patriotic song, — "Your Flag and My Flag." The President 
then read a very interesting paper upon "The Making of an 
Angling Library," a subject upon which he is most competent to 
speak, as he himself has been the owner of one of the finest in the 
world, which he has now presented to Harvard University. The 
address was fully appreciated by the audience, and their thanks 
were expressed formally to the President at his conclusion. 

After the meeting, light refreshments were served, and the 
members visited the various parts of the building. 



Reports Presented at the Annual Meeting 



REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 

To THE Officers and Members of the Newport Histori- 
cal Society : 

Since the annual report of May 24, 1916, the Society has 
held three regular meetings, at which the following addresses 
were presented : 

August 12, 1916. " The Scope and Purpose of an Histori- 
cal Society in Newport," by Hon. William P. Sheffield. 

November 20, 1916, an illustrated lecture on "Windmills 
and the Old Stone Mill at Newport," by Mr. F. H. Shelton of 
Philadelphia. 

February 19, 191 7, " The First European Visitors to Narra- 
gansett Bay," by Rev. Dr. Roderick Terry. 

Special meetings have been held, with addresses as follows: 
"Rev. George Whitefield", by Rev. William I. Ward, on January 
2d, 191 7. "Rev. Dr. Samuel Hopkins", by Rev. Claris E. Silcox, 
on February 6th, 1917. "Bishop George Berkeley", by Rev. 
Stanley C. Hughes, on March 6th, 1917. "Rev. Dr. William 
Ellery Channing", by Rev. W. Safford Jones, on Apr. 3d, 1917. 
"Dr. John Clarke", by Rev. Dr. Franklin G. McKeever, on May 
8th, 1917. 

All of these meetings have been held in our old Meeting 
House, with very good audiences. This series of lectures on 
Distinguished Preachers of Newport has created a great deal of 
interest. 

The Directors have held eight meetings this year. 

48 members have been elected ; 14 members have deceased; 
5 members have resigned. 

The present membership is 457. 

Respectfully submitted, 

John P. Sanborn. 



REPORT OF THE TREASURER 



Report of the Treasurer, Newport Historical Society, for the 

Tr\Tf\-Tr\T T 



year 1916-1917 



RECEIPTS 



Balance 1916, 








$^3-73 


State of Rhode Island, 








1,000.00 


City of Newport, 








770.10 


Rentals, 








344-75 


L<oan, 








200.00 


Dues, &c., 








1,357-88 




$3,686.46 




PAYMENTS 








Salary Librarian, 








$1,000.00 


Salary Asst. Librarian, 


) 






240.00 


Salary Janitor, 








728.00 


Interest, 








278.28 


City of Newport, 








770.10 


Sundries, 








369.97 


Balance, 








300.11 
$3,686.46 


Balance : General Fund, 




$300 


i.ii 




Book Fund, 




lie 


•.56 




Building Fund, 




12 


.10 






Respectfully ; 


submitted. 






H. 1 


C. Stevens, Jr. 



REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN 

The librarian respectfully submits her seventh annual report 
to the officers and members of the Newport Historical Society : 

1242 books and pamphlets have been added to the library, 
including several collections, one of 425 from Redwood Library. 
Many single issues of early newspapers have been added to the 
files. 

389 letters have been received, requesting information, all of 
which have been answered. This number, of course, does not 
include routine correspondence. 

Unusually interesting and valuable relics have been acquired 
this year. Now that we have a safe place for storage, and at- 
tractive exhibition halls, people are glad to place their cherished 
possessions in our care. Dr. Stanton has given us a particularly 
fine old wardroble of San Domingo mahogany, and we have its 
history from the time it was imported by Constant Tabor until it 
came to us. 

A very valuable collection of Indian baskets has been donated 
by Miss Edgar, Mrs. Gallwey and Mr. Hermann LeRoy Edgar. 
These baskets have been identified and classified by Miss Folsom 
of the Hampton Institute Museum, and have created much inter- 
est among our visitors. A collection of Civil War relics from 
Mrs. Hamilton Lieber is also of great interest. Civil War relics 
seem to appeal to old and young, and it is hoped that everyone 
who has these precious relics will be willing to deposit them 
with us. 

Several important and valuable portraits and miniatures have 
been placed on our walls. A collection of Cranston portraits, 
from Mrs. Rebecca Douglas and Mrs. Mary Atkinson have at- 
tracted much attention, and the portrait of Abby Bradford de 
Wolf, daughter of an owner of Vaucluse, which was painted by 
Jane Stuart, has a double interest for Newporters. 

Mr. Amory Auston has again deposited with us his valuable 
bust of George Washington; and Mrs. R. R. Barker has deposited 
a very valuable collection of blue china. Our china collection 
has been further increased by the deposit of two old tea sets by 
Miss Tilley, A chair used by Gilbert Stuart while painting his 
portrait of Washington, and Jane Stuart's chair are also here on 
deposit. 

7 



Newport pictures; models of Newport boats; more fire relics; 
an old fire-place; many household articles; a silver porringer 
made by Samuel Vernon of Newport, and belonging to the Bull 
family, and many more relics too numerous to mention here have 
been received. Several collections of manuscripts have been ac- 
quired; an especially valuable one is that of our late Correspond- 
ing Secretary, Mr. George H. Richardson, obtained for us by the 
kindness of Dr. Terry. This also contains a number of valuable 
scrap books. 

An important work this year has been the arrangement of 
the relics and portraits, etc., in the exhibition halls, and the 
classification and listing of the manuscript books in the vault, 
which contains 1064 books or collections, and 190 packages of 
manuscripts. The classification of the latter is slow, and only a 
little can be accomplished each year, but many manuscripts are 
available and are constantly used. Our new vault is a great 
pleasure and convenience. 

There are still many newspapers to be classified and bound. 
Our files are fairly complete, but there must still be many old 
issues in the Newport attics. Will not every Newporter make an 
effort to secure these for the Society? We have made lists of the 
newspapers in our collection, and the missing numbers may easily 
be learned. 

Our buildings have been used this year by the Newport Medi- 
cal Society, the Newport Chapter of the Red Cross, Christian 
Science Society, Jamestown Historical Society, General Nathaniel 
Greene Memorial Association, William EHery Chapter, Daughters 
of the American Revolution, Newport Improvement Association, 
and the executive committee of the University Club. 

Through the generosity of one member, the museum is open 
on Sunday and Holiday afternoons, and while the attendance is 
not unsatisfactory, it is hoped that during the coming year, many 
more will avail themselves of the opportunity to inspect the col- 
lections. These seem to be a surprise to many of our citizens, 
and we constantly hear visitors say, "I did not know there was 
such a place in Newport." 

In presenting this her last report, the librarian feels that in 
a small way and with the help of many friends, she has accom- 
plished what she attempted, when, nearly seven years ago, she 

8 



took up the work laid down by her father. His plans for the So- 
ciety's welfare have been carried out in his own way, as far as 
possible. The membership is four times as large; the income 
has increased ; an additional appropriation has been secured from 
the State; the restoration of the town records is approaching 
completion; the new building is erected and occupied; and while 
the Society's income is not yet sufficient to meet expenses, which, 
however, have not been materially increased by the larger plant, 
the required amounts may easily be raised if each member of this 
large society will help. 

Feeling keenly the constant and great responsibility of our 
valuable possessions, needing very much a little more time for 
her own life, and realizing that she can do better work in histori- 
cal and genealogical research, and even in attaining the objects 
of this Society, unhampered by the details of caring for buildings 
and collections, and of carrying on the work of a large organiza- 
tion, your librarian is retiring from the activities of institutional 
work, but her interest in the Society, in its collections, and most 
of all in its prosperity and progress, will never cease; and what- 
ever help lies in her power will be gladly given to the Society 
and to her successor as its executive officer. 

Sincere thanks are offered to all who have helped in the at- 
tainment of whatever success has come during these years of 
earnest work. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Edith M. Tilley, 

Librarian. 

The Nominating committee through its chairman, Mr. 
Tompkins, reported, presenting for re-election the present officers 
with the exception of Miss Tilley Librarian, and Mr. Job A. 
Peckham member of the Board of Directors, who desired to with- 
draw. Mr. Lloyd M. Mayer, and Miss E. M. Tilley were nomi- 
nated in their places; also Miss Maud L. Stevens as Correspond- 
ing Secretary, in place of Mr. George H. Richardson, deceased. 
The full ticket as thus nominated was then unanimously elected. 



SOCIETY NOTES 



The Society is to be congratu- 
lated upon the election of Mr. 
Lloyd M. Mayer as Librarian. 

Mr. Mayer has been for most 
all his life a resident of Newport 
and the Island, and is not only 
most thoroughly familiar with 
its history, but a deep lover of 
its traditions. 

A few years ago a paper was 
read by him before the Society 
upon the Battle of Rhode Island, 
showing his interest in, and 
knowledge of, the events of Rev- 
olutionary times. 

We believe that under his ad- 
ministration the Society may 



confidently expect to begin a life 
of renewed vitality and useful- 
ness. 



The advent of the large num- 
ber of enlisted men of the Navy 
into our city has called for inter- 
est to be manifested by all of our 
citizens in their welfare. Our 
Society had a reception for them 
on one occasion, and with danc- 
ing and refreshments made them 
feel that we were anxious to do 
what we could to enable them 
pleasantly to pass their moments 
of recreation. 



BY-LAWS OF THE SOCIETY 



NAME 

Section L The name of this 
Society is 'The Newport Histori- 
cal Society.'' 

OBJECT 

Sec. 2. The object of this Soci- 
ety is to discover, procure and pre- 
serve whatever may relate to gen- 
eral history, especially to the civil, 
literary and ecclesiastical history of 
the United States, the State of 
Rhode Island, and more particularly 
of the City and County of Newport. 

MEMBERSHIP 

Sec. 3. The Society shall con- 
sist of active, life, sustaining, asso- 



ciate and honorary members. Act- 
ive, sustaining, associate and life 
members may be elected at any 
meeting of the Society or Directors. 
Honorary members can be elected 
only by the Society. Any individ- 
ual, on payment, at one time, of 
fifty dollars, may be elected a life 
member, and shall thereafter be ex- 
empt from all assessments or annual 
tax. Such other persons as may 
have rendered service may be 
elected life members, and be ex- 
empt from all assessments or tax. 

OFFICERS 

Sec 4. The officers of the So- 
ciety shall be elected at the annual 



10 



meeting (or at an adjournment 
thereof), and shall hold their re- 
spective offices for one year, or 
until their successors are chosen, 
and shall be 

A President; a First Vice Presi- 
dent; a Second Vice President; a 
Third Vice President; a Treasurer; 
a Recording Secretary; a Librarian; 
a Corresponding Secretary; a Cu- 
rator of Medals and Coins; and a 
Board of Directors,consisting of the 
above officers and twelve other 
members who shall be elected at 
the annual meeting, four for three 
years, four for two years, and four 
for one year, and four shall be 
elected each year thereafter. 

Sec 5. The annual meeting of 
the Society shall be held on the last 
Tuesday in May in each year, at 
which meeting a report shall be pre- 
sented by the President in behalf of 
the Board of Directors, of all busi- 
ness which they have transacted 
during the preceding year, and ad- 
ditional reports in full shall be pre- 
sented by the Treasurer, Librarian 
and Curator of ?/Iedals and Coins. 
The Society shall hold regular meet- 
ings on the third Monday of August, 
November and February, for liter- 
ary exercises, the election of new 
members, and such other business 
as may be brought before it. Spe- 
cial meetings may be called at any- 
time, when deemed necessary by 
the President, or at the request of 
three members of the Society. 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Sec. 6. The government of the 
Society shall be vested in the Board 
of Directors, who shall have custody 
of all buildings, funds, securities 
and collections belonging to the So- 
ciety; shall fix salaries, and have 
the general control and regulation 
of the aflFairs of the Society in the 
intervals between the annual meet- 
ings. They may elect active and 



life members (but not Honorary 
members) . They shall provide for 
regular literary and other exercises; 
and make the necessary arrange- 
ments for promoting the objects of 
the Society. They shall authorize 
the disbursement and expenditure of 
moneys in the Treasury, and make 
such investments as may be ordered 
by these by-laws, and by the Soci- 
ety. They shall hold regular meet- 
ings, at least once in two months. 
Special meetings may be ealled,when 
deemed necessary, by the President. 
They shall organize as soon after the 
annual meeting of the Society, as 
possible, and appoint the following 
committees: a Committee on Fi- 
nance; a Committee on the Library 
and Museum; a Committee on 
Buildings and Grounds; a Commit- 
tee on Literary Exercises; a Com- 
mittee on Publications; a Nominat- 
ing Committee; a Committee on 
Increase of Membership; an Audit- 
ing Committee. 

The President of the Society shall 
act as Chairman of the Board, and 
the Recording Secretary of the So- 
ciety shall act as clerk. They may 
make such rules and regulations for 
their own government, and for the 
Society's Library and Museum as 
may be necessary, not inconsistent 
with these by-laws. Eight mem- 
bers of the Board shall constitute a 
quorum for business. 

Sec 7. At the annual meeting 
the Society shall assess a tax upon 
each sustaining member of ten 
dollars, upon each annual member 
of two dollars, and upon each asso- 
ciate member of one dollar, which 
latter class shall be entitled to all 
the privileges of the Society except 
that of voting. 

PERMANENT FUND 

Sec. 8. All money received on 
account of life members shall be in- 
vested and placed to the credit of 



11 



,he Permanent Fund. Other sums 
nay, from time to time, be added to 
,his fund, the interest only of which 
;an be used for the general purposes 
)f the Society. 

QUORUM 

Sec. 9. At all meetings of the 
Society fifteen members shall consti- 
,ute a quorum for the transaction of 
)usiness. 

PRESIDENT 

Sec. 10. The President, or in his 
ibsence, one of the Vice Presidents, 
'or in their absence a chairman, pro 
empore) shall preside at all meet- 
ngs of the Society, and shall have a 
:asting vote. He shall preserve or- 
ler, subject to an appeal, and at the 
,nnual meeting shall present a brief 
address relative to any of the objects 
if the Society or suggestions for its 
\^elfare. 

TRE.4SURER 

Sec. 11. The Treasursr shall re- 
eive the annual tax and other in- 
ome of tlie Society. He shall be 
he custodian of all its funds and 
ecurities, and shall pay all the bills 
gainst the Society when properl}'^ 
pproved. He shall keep a true 
ccount of his receipts and pay- 
fients, and present a report, in con- 
unction with the finance committee, 
each meeting of the Directors, and 
t the annual meeting of the Society 
hall present a detailed report for 
he year in writing. 

RECORDING SECRETARY 

Sec. 12. The Recording Secretary 
hall have charge of the seal, charter, 
y-laws and records of the Society, 
nd act as Secretary to the Board of 
)irectors, and shall keep a fair and 
ccurate record of the proceedings 
f all meetings. He shall, under 
he direction of the President, give 
otice of the time of all meetings of 
he Society and Board of Directors, 



and shall prepare a list of such busi- 
ness as is brought to his attention 
before each meeting of the Directors. 

corresponding SECRETARY 

Sec. 13. The Corresponding Sec- 
retary shall promptly fill out and 
send to all members elected notices 
of their election, and shall con- 
duct for the Society such corre- 
spondence as may be required of 
him by the President, Recording 
Secretary or Librarian. 

librarian 

Sec. 14 The Librarian shall have 
the charge and superintendence of 
the Library and the collections of 
the Society, and the care and ar- 
rangement of the books, manuscripts 
and other articles belonging to the 
Society. He shall expend in the 
purchase of books and other articles, 
and for their safe keeping and pre- 
servation, at the direction of the 
Library Committee, such sums of 
money as shall, from time to time, 
be appropriated for that purpose. 
He shall present a report at each 
meeting of the Board of Directors 
and at the annual meeting a general 
report to the Society. 

Sec. 15. It shall be the duty of 
each committee to report through 
its chairman at each meeting of the 
Board of Directors. The Treasurer 
shall be ex-officio a member of the 
Finance Committee, the Librarian 
of the Library Committee, and the 
President of the Committee on Lit- 
erary Exercises. 

ALTERATIONS OF THESE BY-LAWS 

Sec. 16. No alterations in these 
by-laws shall be made unless such 
changes shall have been proposed in 
writing, at a previous meeting. 

Sec. 17. These by-laws shall take 
effect immediately, and all former 
by-laws are hereby repealed. 



i^ 



MEMBERS 



LIFE MEMBERS 



Allen, John B. 

Allen, William 

American Jewish Historical Society 

Auchincloss, Mrs. Hugh 

Batonyi, Aureil 

Belmont, Angust 

Belmont, Perry 

Bergner, Jonas 

Birckhead, Mrs. William 

Brown, Mrs. Harold 

Caswell, William J. S. 

Connolly, Thomas B. 

d'Hauteville, Mrs. Grand 

Derby, Mrs. Richard C. 

Fearing, Daniel B. 

Fearing, Mrs. Daniel B. 

Fearing. George R. 

Gammell, Mrs. Robert Ives 

Gammell. William 

Gerry, Com. Elbridge T. 

Gibbs, Mrs. Theodore K. 

Goelet, Mrs. Ogden 

Goelet. Robert 

Grosvenor, Miss Rosa A. 

Hunter, Mrs. William R. 

James, Com. Arthur Curtiss 

James, Mrs. Arthur Curtiss 

Jennings, Miss Annie B. 

King. George Gordon 

King, Mrs. David 

Lorillard, Louis L. 

Marquand, Prof. Allan 



Marquand, Henry 
Mason, Miss Ellen 
Mason, Miss Ida 
McLean, Edward B. 
McLean, Mrs. Edward B. 
Moriarty, George Andrews, Jr. 
Peck, Frederick S. 
Peckham, Job Almy 
Powel, Thomas Ives Hare 
Richardson, Mrs. Thomas 
Rives, George L. 
Safe. Mrs. T. Shaw 
Sherman, Mrs. \Y. Watts 
Smith, Miss Esther Morton 
Swan, James A. 
Swan, Mrs. James A. 
Taylor, H. A. C. 
Taylor, Henry R. 
Thayer, Mrs. Nathaniel 
Tilley, Miss Edith May 
Tompkins, Hamilton B. 
Tuckerman, Alfred 
Tuckerman, Mrs. Alfred 
VanAlen J. Laurens 
Vanderbilt, Mrs. 
Vanderbilt, Mrs. French 
Vernon, Mrs. J. Peace 
Warren, George Henry 
Warren, Mrs. Whitney 
Webster, Hamilton Fish 
Wetmore. Hon. George P. 
Wildey, Mrs Anna C. 



SUSTAINING MEMBERS 



Beeckman, Mrs. R Livingston 
Berwind. Mrs. Edward J. 
Brown, Mrs. James J. 
Brown, Mrs. John Nicholas 
Burke-Roche, Mrs. Frances 
Clark, Miss Elizabeth 
Clarke, Mrs. J. Francis A. 
Codman, Miss Martha 



DeForest, George B. 
Drexel, Mrs. John R. 
Duncan, Mrs. Stuart 
Dunn, Mrs. Thomas 
Emmons, Arthur B. 
Glyn, Mrs. William E. 
Grosvenor, Mrs. William 
Havemeyer, H. 0., Jr. 



13 



Hayden, Col. Charles 
Hazard, Miss Caroline 
Hunt, Mrs. Livingston 
Hunter, Miss Anna F. 
Jacobs, Dr. Henry Barton 
Jenckes, John 
Neilson, Mrs. 
Norman, Mrs. Bradford 
Norman, Guy 
Padeltbrd, Edward M. 
Pierson, Gen. J. Fred 
Potter, Mrs. Edward T. 



Redmond, Henry 
Rives, Dr. William C. 
Robinson, Mrs. C. L. F. 
Schreier. Eugene 
Spencer, Mrs. Lorillard 
Sturgis, Frank K. 
Taller, T. Sufiern 
Terry, Rev. Roderick 
Terry, Mrs. Roderick 
Van Alen, J.J. 
Weaver, Miss Sarah C. 
Webster, Mrs. Hamilton Fish 



ANNUAL MEMBERS 



Abney, John R. 
Allen, Mrs. Crawford C. 
Andrews, Mrs. Walter S. 
Anderson, Dr. Alexander J. 
Appleton, Miss Mary 
Armstrong, William A. 
Austin, Amory 
Austin, George B. 
Baker, Hon. Darius 
Bakhmeteff, Madam 
Balch, Mrs. Stephen Elliott 
Baldwin, Frederick H. 
Ball, Alwyn, Jr. 
Barry, Louis J. 
Bates, Mrs. Francis E. 
Bergman, Isaac B. 
Bispham, Mrs. George T. 
Bliss, Richard 
Bokee, Miss Margaret 
Borden, Mrs. Jerome C. 
Bristow, Mrs. W. B. 
Buffum, William P. 
Buffum, Mrs. Wm. P. 
Bull, Mrs. Charles M. 
Burdick, Clark 
Burdick, David J. 
Burdick, Edwin S. 
Burgess, Prof. John W. 
Burlingame, Robert S. 
Burlingham, Hiram 
Cabell, Walter Coles 
Campbell, Dudley E. 
Carr, Leander K. 
Case, Philip B. 
Caswell, John R. 
Cerio, Mrs. George 



Chadwick, Mrs. French E. 

Clarke, Henry W. 

Clark, Dr. Philip E. 

Clark, Mrs. Philip E. 

Clarke, Mrs. Wm. P., Sr. 

Coggeshall, Dr. Henry 

Cole, Charles M. 

Cortazzo, Madame 

Cortazzo, Miss Katherine 

Cottrell, Charles M. 

Covell, William W. 

Covell, Mrs. William W. 

Cozzens, J. Powel 

Creighton, Mrs. J. McP. 

Darlington, Rt. Rev. James H. 

Davis, Rear Admiral Charles H. 

Davis, Mrs. Dudley 

Davis, Galen 

deCanongo, Countess de San 

Esteban 
Dennis, Wm. E., Jr. 
de Tahy, Prof. Joannes 
Dickey, Rev. George V. 
Downing, George Fay 
Downing, Miss Harriet S. 
Downing, Miss Julia T. 
Drury, James H. 
Duncan, Stuart 
Dyer, Herbert 
Easton, Arthur H. 
Easton, Charles D., M. D. 
Easton, Fred W. 
Edgar, Miss Lucille R. 
Ellery, Miss Henrietta 
Elliott, Mrs. John 
Ellis, Miss Helen 



14 



Ellis, Miss Lizzie E. 

Estes, Dr. Nathan A. 

Estes, Mrs. Nathan A. 

Eustis, George Peabody 

Eustis, Mrs. George Peabody 

Fagan, James P. 

Ferry, Mrs. E. Hayward 

Forsyth, Mrs. J. B. 

Franklin, Miss Ruth 

Franklin, William B. 

Gardner, Mrs. Charles C. 

Garrettson, Frederick P. 

Gillespie, Lawrence L. 

Gillespie, Mrs. Lawrence L. 

Graham, Howard S. 

Green, Arthur Leslie 

Greene, John H., Jr. 

Haggin, Mrs. James B. 

Hamilton, William 

Hammond, Ogden H. 

Hazard, Miss Abby C. 

Hendy, Henry Stuart 

Higbee, Edward W, 

Hill, Mrs. Walter N. 

Hillhouse, Mrs. Charles B. 

Hoffman, Charles F. 

Hoppin, Samuel H. 

Horton, Jere W. 

Howard, Mrs. E. W. 

Howland, Mrs. Joseph 

Hughes. Rev. Stanley C. 

Hunter, Miss Augusta 

Ingalls, Mrs. John J. 

Ingraham, Phoenix 

Jacobs, Mrs. Henry Barton 

Jones, Rev. J. Andrew 

Jones, Mrs. Pembroke 

Josephs, Mrs. Lyman C. 

Judge, Mrs. Cyril B. 

Kimball, Frank G. 

Kimber, Rev. John S. 

King, Col. Frank P. 

King. Frederick R. 

King, Miss Georgianna G. 

King, Mrs. LeRoy 

King, LeRoy 

Kling, Charles P. 

Knight, Rear Admiral Austin M. 

U. S. N. 
Knight, Edward CoUings, Jr. 



Koehne, Charles H., Jr. 
La Farge, Mrs. John 
Landers, Albert C. 
Langley, Walter S. 
Lauterbach, Mrs. 
Lawson, John A. 
Lawton, Mrs. Thomas A. 
Leavitt, Miss Blanche 
Lee, William H. 
Levy, Max 

Lippitt, Hon. Charles Warren 
Lippitt, Mrs. Charles Warren 
Lippitt, Charles Warren, Jr. 
Lockrow, Mrs. Harvey J. 
Lorah, James R. 
Low, William G., Jr. 
Luce, Rear Admiral S. B. 
Macomber, Isaac 
Marvin, Miss Elizabeth B. 
Mason, Mrs. John J. 
MacLeod, Col. William 
McAllister, Miss Louisa Ward 
McCormick, Michael A. 
McLennan, John K. 
McMahon, Andrew K. 
Morgan, Mrs. Wm. Rogers 
Moriarty, Mrs. George A. 
Morris, Harrison J. 
Morrison, Charles E. 
Murdock, Rear Admiral J. B. 
Naval War College 
Norman, Bradford 
Norman, Maxwell 
Norman, Reginald 
Nowell, MrsTT. S. 
Noyes, Mrs. Boutelle 
O'Neill, Thomas J. 
Padelford, Mrs. Edward M. 
Pattison, Mrs. E. J. 
Pearson, Mrs. Frederick 
Peck, Rev. Charles Russell 
Peckham, Miss Antoinette 
Peckham, Mrs. Felix 
Peckham, Miss Lillian 
Peckham, Thoma.s P. 
Peckham, Mrs. R. Wallace 
Pepper, Mrs. William 
Perry, Mrs. Henry P. 
Perry, Marsden J. 
Petterson, Gustof L. 



15 



Phillips, Arthur S. 
Phillips, N. Taylor 
Pitman, T. T. 
Powel, Miss Mary E. 
Price, Brig. General Butler D 
Pumpelly, Prof. Raphael 
Redmond, Miss Lydia 
Renter, J. Henry 
Reynal, Mrs. E. S. 
Richards, Ed,t;ar 
Ridlon, Dr. John 
Riggs, Edward O. 
Robinson, Dr. Edwin P. 
Robinson, .Mrs. Edwin P. 
Russo, .Marco 
Sage, iMrs. George E. 
Sanborn, Alvah H. 
Sanborn, John P. 
Sanborn, Mrs. John P. 
Sanford, Dr. A. Chase 
Scott, Mrs. George S. 
Seabury, John C. 
Shanahan. Dennis 
Sheffield. William P. 
Sherman. Mrs. Albert K. 
^herman, Mrs. B. B. H. 
Sherman, Edwai'd A. 
Sherman, Miss Elizabeth G. 
5herman, Dr. William A. 
>herman, Mrs. William A. 
>herman. Dr. William S. 
>herman, Mrs. William S. 
5]ade, Mrs Abl)ott E. 
ilocum, William S. 
imith, Daniel 
imith, Mrs. R. Manson 
Ipencer, John Thompson 
'l)encer, Mrs. John Thompson 
prague, Mrs Frank J. 
tatihope, Clarence 
tanton, Dr. N. G. 
tetson, George R. 
tevens, Miss Abby 
tevens, Mi.ss J Austin 
tevens, Mrs. Harriet 



Stevens, Henry C, Jr. 
Stevens, Miss Katharine M. 
Stevens, Miss Maud L. 
Stevenson, Dr. Arthur W. 
Stewart, Anthony 
Stickney, Mrs Albert 
Stoddard, Dr. William C. 

Stoneman, Michael 

Storer, Dr. Horatio R. 

Sullivan, John B. 

Sullivan. Dr. M. H. 

Swan, Miss Sallie ('. 

Swinburne, Miss Elizabeth H. 

Tanner, Benjamin F. 

Taylor, Grant P. 

Taylor, John M. 

Thaw, Benjamin 

Thomas, Miss Harriet 

Thompson, Frank E. 

Underwood, Mrs. Wni. J. 

Van Allen, Mrs. (nirett A. 

Van Beuren. Mrs. .Michael M 

Vanderbilt, Reginald C. 

Van Rensselaer, Mrs. Peyton 

Varnum, Miss Amy 

Vernon, Miss Elizabeth H. 

Wanton, Charles A. N. 
Ward, Miss A. Louise 
Ward, Rev. Wra. I. 
Warren, Georee Henry, Jr. 
Watts, John S. 
Weaver, Mrs. Charles A. 
Weaver, Harry R. 
Weaver, Thomas L. S. 
Wetherell, John H. 
Wharton, Mrs. Henry 
White, Elias Henley" 
White, Mrs. Elias Henley 
Whitehouse. J. Norman deR. 
Whitman, Hon. Charles S. 
Wilder, Frank J. 
Wilks, Harry G. 
Wilks. Mrs. Harry G. 
Wood, Mrs Henry A. 
Wright, Mrs. Walter A. 



ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 



dams, William F. 
ndrews, Mrs, William, 
tkinson, Mrs. Mary 
liley, Vernon Howe 



Balis, Clarence Wanton 
Barlow, Mrs George 
Belknap, Mrs. Reginald R. 
Benson, Mrs. A. S. 



16 



Benson, Robert 
Bigelow, Francis H. 
Bloch, Rev. Julius 
Bosworth, Miss Rebecca 
Brackett, Mrs. Charles A. 
Branjan, Mrs. Packer 
Branston, Mrs. Joseph 
Brightman, Miss Eva S. C. 
Briyhtraan, Wm. E. 
Brown ell, Miss Ella 
Brownell, Miss Nancy 
Bryer, Mrs. John H. 
Burlingham, Rev. E. J. 
Burlingham, Mrs Thomas 
Casey, Miss Sophie P. 
Chester, Charles E. 
Chester, Dr. Frank Dyer 
Chinn, Miss E. Bertha 
Clarke, Miss Lena H. 
Commerford, Arthur B. 
Congdon. Mrs. Henry B. 
Cottrell, Miss Annie 
Davis, Salmon W. 
Dudley, Mrs. Beverley R. 
du Fais, John 
Fludder, Mrs. Alexander 
Fowler. Miss A. Svbil 
Franklin, Mrs. Robert M. 
Gash, Mrs. Rol)ert 
Goffe, Mrs Walter 
Hayes, Robert S. 
Haves, Mrs. Robert S. 
Hazard, Miss Mary A. 
Holland, Mrs. Katharine B. 
Howard, Mrs. William R. 
Jones, Rev. Wm. Safford 
Kalkman, Henry A. 
Kalkman, Mrs. Henry A. 
Lawrence, Mrs. Henry 
Lawton, George P. 
Lieber, Mrs. Hamilton 
Lieber, Miss 

Manchester, Miss Katharine 
Marsh. Mrs. Herbert 
McCarthy, Miss Alice 



Mead, Mrs. George Whitfield 
Newton. Henry 
Newton, Mrs. Henry 
Newton, Simon 
Nichols, Miss Matilda 
O'Neill, Eugene C. 
Parrish, Miss Mary 
Peckham, Frank L. 
Peckham, Mrs. Frank L. 
Peckham, Mrs. Thomas P. 
Perry, Howard B. 
Perry, Mrs. Joseph 
Perry, Thomas Sergeant 
Pinniger, Mrs. David 
Potter, Ralph G. 
Powell, Mrs. Frank 
Richmond, Henry I. 
Rogers, Mrs. Elis'ha 
Sayer, Miss Mary A. 
Sherman, Miss Annie A. 
Sherman, Mrs. William B., Jr. 
Smith, Miss E]lizabeth B. 
Smith, .Miss Helen Fairchild 
Smith, Mrs Nathan B. 
Stanton, Miss Bessie 
Stanton, William H. 
Staton, Mrs. J. G. 
Stewart, Mrs. John 
Swan, Frank Malbone 
Swazey, Miss Jeanette 
Swinburne, Henry H. 
Tetlow. Mrs. Albert 
Thurston, Mrs. George W. 
Titus, Mrs. Harry A. 
Underwood, Mrs. Nicholas 
Vernon. Miss Annie 
Vose, Miss Caroline M. 
Ward, Howard Gould 
Waring, Miss E. B. 
Wharton, Jos. S. Lovering 
Wheeler, Henry 
Whitehead. John M. 
Willard, Miss Mary A. 
Wing, Wm. Arthur 
Wood, Trist 



17 



OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

For the year ending May^ igi8 



President, DANIEL B. FEARING 
First Vice-President, RODERICK TERRY 

Second Vice-President, FRANK K. STURGIS 

Third Vice-President, ALFRED TUCKERMAN 
Recording Secretary, JOHN P. SANBORN 
Corresponding Secretary, MAUD L. STEVENS 
Treasurer, HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. 
Librarian, LLOYD M. MAYER 
Curator of Coins and Medals, EDWIN P. ROBINSON 
Members of the Board of Directors 

FOR three years 

MRS. HAROLD BROWN MISS EDITH M. TILLEY 

MRS. RICHARD C. DERBY DR. WILLIAM S. SHERMAN 

FOR TWO YEARS 

MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 

MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT GEORGE L. RIVES 

FOR ONE YEAR 

MRS. C. L. F. ROBINSON GEORGE V. DICKEY 

JONAS BERGNER . LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE 

18 



Committees for the Year 1917-1918 



DR. RODERICK TERRY 
MR. FRANK K. STURGIS, 



FINANCE 

COM. ARTHUR C. JAMES 
THE TREASURER, ex-officio 



LIBRARY AND MUSEUM 

MRS. CHARLES C. GARDINER 

THE LIBRARIAN 



MISS EDITH TILLEY 



BUILDING AND GROUNDS 



MR. JONAS BERGNER 



DR. EDWIN P. ROBINSON 



DR. TERRY 



DR. TERRY 



MR. JOB A. PECKHAM 

LITERARY EXERCISES 

THE LIBRARIAN 

PUBLICATIONS 



THE PRESIDENT 



THE LIBRARIAN 



NOMINATING COMMITTEE 

REV. STANLEY C. HUGHES MRS. AUCHINCLOSS 

MISS KATHARINE STEVENS 



INCREASE OF MEMBERSHIP 

MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT MRS. LIVINGSTON HUNT 

MRS. HARVEY J. LOCKROW MISS ANTOINETTE PECKHAM 

MR. LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE 

AUDITING COMMITTEE 

MR. JONAS BERGNER 

MUSEUM ACQUISITIONS 

MRS. T. A. LAWTON 



DR. TERRY 



MISS MAUD STEVENS 



19 



BULLETIN 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

Number Twenty-Four NEWPORT, R.I. January, 1918 

The Romance of Newport 



A Paper Read before the Society November igih, igiy 

By 
Miss MAUD LYMAN STEVENS 



The romance of an old sea port town — is it not a thing of 
course? What tales may be told there of adventure or mystery; 
what enterprises sent out in hope, returning rich reward, or 
waited for with ever deferred expectance; what stories of its sons, 
.who taking danger for a daily companion, found a zest in their 
life never afforded by dull homekeeping? Strong characters are 
moulded under such conditions, and striking scenes take place, 
when, as in Newport, with the sea at our door, the forest lies 
behind. How romantic do those days appear, when living, hat- 
ing and fighting went on with such intensity; vvhen an Indian 
chief might beach his canoe in the cove, or a sailor fresh from 
the Spanish main fling his gold about our streets; when wolves 
scared the women in their cabbage gardens, and pirates touched 
at Newport wharves and consorted with the townsfolk. Strange 
cargoes indeed came to the town in those by-gone days, and pic- 
turesque the variety of figures seen in our streets. Dutch traders 
and suspected witches, soldiers from Cromwell's army, the grave 
Quakers and the stately Spanish Jews, followers of Prince Charlie, 
English crown officers, all have helped to make Newport what it 
is. Romance lurks in the tale of our founding, in the harboring 



of our Quaker guests, in our daring seamen's deeds in peace and 
war. Hardly discernible by any generation, the wonder and 
mystery of the past are clear to us, and we say with the poet — 
"The king was with us — yesterday." 

Let us then look among our yesterdays for the romance 
that perhaps one's eyes are too dull to see in today's doings. We 
can only choose here and there among the treasures of the past, 
for much has happened in the old town since it was "agreed and 
ordered, that the Plantation now begun at the southwest end of 
the island shall be called Newport." Two hundred and seventy- 
eight years have passed since then, and of all that history we can 
but cull a few bits, making a patchwork that may suggest the 
rich fabric that the years have wrought. 

To begin with the romance of the founding of Newport. Who 
can tell the high thoughts of those who planned the new state, 
when, finding, as our own Blackstone said, the "Lords Breth- 
ren" no less stiff than the "Lords Bishops," a little company of 
them resolved to set up their tents in the wilderness. A state all 
their own it was to be, on a plan hardly tried as yet, but where 
and how the experiment was to be carried out, they knew not. 
Only this they knew, that "the land was wide enough for all," 
and somewhere surely there might be found a resting place, where, 
neither suffering nor inflicting religious oppression, they might in 
peace worship God in their own way. In freedom of spirit then, 
was the Island community founded, and in kindly co-operation 
the land was purchased, Roger Williams using his good offices in 
the matter; and white men, for the first time, looking on the 
slopes where Newport v.'as to lie, could say "This is ours." 

It is perhaps not wonderful that Massachusetts Bay was so 
intolerant of schismatics. Religion and politics were very closely 
bound up in those early days, and the settlements, still small 
and weak, dreaded any division, to imperil what they had won 
through days of danger and distress. Boston, ever open to new 
ideas, was much inclined to the attractive doctrines which seemed 
so dangerous to the dominant clergy, and it was their influence, 
working through the country districts, that won the day. The 
famous Mrs. Anne Hutchinson made part of the first settlement 
at the north end of the island, which at the end of the year was 



deserted by its most influential members in favor of a site which 
to us seems to offer far greater natural advantage — Newport. 

From this time, Newport took the place which she long 
held, of most important of Rhode Island towns. Money, influ- 
ence and intellectual superiority, all were here, and it was not 
until our agricultural state became a manufacturing one, that the 
order of things was reversed and the water power that the island 
lacked proved a dominant factor in the mainland towns' develop- 
ment. 

With the settling of Newport, we may properly consider our 
most influential founder and first magistrate — William Codding- 
ton. A remarkable man was he — governor's assistant in the 
Bay Colony appointed to the position from England itself, — 
wealthy merchant and man of authority, beside being builder, it 
is said, of the first brick house ever seen in Boston. He must 
have made a fine figure as he sat in the governor's council. The 
portrait, long supposed to be of the first William Coddington, 
which hangs in the City Hall, is now said to be that of another 
William Coddington, his grandson, but if the descendant carried 
on the family look, we may believe our first governor to have 
been tall, ruddy and of a high demeanor. Conscious authority 
sat on his brow, for as commissioner he was accustomed to obedi- 
ence. His rich dress, probably of velvet, with the silk knots, 
great boots and sash of the period, his wide collar edged with 
lace, his broad leafed hat, perhaps with a jewelled hat band, the 
sword at his side, the fringed and embroidered gloves — is he not 
a gallant figure? Puritanic plainness of dress had not reached its 
height at this time, and in any case, the sumptuary laws were, 
for the most part, enforced on those not entitled by their station 
to wear the costly and fine apparel that marked the gentleman. 

All this bravery flashed down Narragansett Bay on a certain 
March day in 1638, in search of those other great men in their 
degree, the Sachems of the Narragansetts. Roger Williams and 
at least one beside were in Coddington 's company, and the busi- 
ness in hand was the purchase of the great island lying in the 
bay. It may well be that the sachems were favorably impressed 
by their remembrance of the state held by the governor's assist- 
ant when they had appeared before the council. Also he was 

3 



;he friend of Sir Henry Vane and of their trusted associate, 
Roger Williams, and, therefore, their friend. It was these con- 
siderations and not the real and ample consideration offered by 
;!^oddington on behalf of his friends and himself that decided the 
natter. We can imagine the dignified conference which ended 
in the signing of the deed, whereby English settlers were to 
Degin the task of making their home on this pleasant island. 

Yes, an important man was William Coddington, most influ- 
nitial of our colonists, and it seemed a foregone conclusion that 
le should be ruler in the new state. Judge, he was called, and 
lis position was agreed upon before the expedition set out from 
Boston. When, at the end of a year it was time for a new elec- 
ion, we find Coddington still Judge, but only at the cost of a 
•emoval. William Hutchinson and his wife, Anne, were, as has 
)een said, among those in the first or Portsmouth settlement, 
md, it may be that the distinguished lady was ambitious for her 
gentle husband. Besides this, a great trouble maker and dis- 
urber of the peace had arrived on the scene, in the person of 
5amuel Gorton, who entirely denied the validity of a purchase 
rom the Indians, and refused to allow any status to the new 
;olony, as not being sanctioned by the King. Gorton was to be 
ong a thorn in the flesh to Coddington, with his constitutional 
)biection to authority, and it seems probable that the prospect of 
)eace and quiet appeared greater at the other end of the Island. 

A division was certainly made at this time, and Coddington, 
vith eight of the principal among the founders and freemen, and 
t is probable, a considerable number of inhabitants as well, re- 
noved and founded the new plantation of Newport. It was un- 
ierstood that he was to be Judge, and he is so written down in 
;he agreement signed while still at Pocasset, now Portsmouth, 
rhe party opposed to Coddington immediately after drew up a 
paper of loyalty to King Charles, naming William Hutchinson as 
iheir chief magistrate. It is noteworthy that among the names 
affixed to this document appear none of the purchasers of the isl- 
and, and more than half of them are signed merely with a mark, 
IS those of illiterate men. Coddington was soon to come into his 
Dwn again. At the end of a year, the Portsmouth colony felt 
tself too weak to stand alone, and its inhabitants applied to 



Newport for reconciliation. They were willingly received, the 
two settlements were united, and William Hutchinson had some 
dignity in his secondary position as Assistant. Gorton did not at 
this time trouble the Island long. He behaved so outrageously 
that he was whipped and sent away with divers of his adherents, 
all being forbidden to return. It is droll to read at this day how 
when Coddington cried "all you that own the King take Gorton 
away," the recalcitrant replied, "all you that own the King take 
Coddington away," and further called the justices "just asses," 
a most inexcusable pun, but not so severe an epithet as "Satan," 
which he applied to the assistant at Plymouth. 

Two years more and William Hutchinson had died. His 
widow removed with her household to Long Island, where a 
number of families of liberal tendencies had begun to settle. It 
proved by no means a safe retreat for Her, for soon after began 
the Indian war on the Dutch, in which she and all those with 
her were massacred, excepting one little girl, who was carried 
away into captivity and afterwards redeemed. So perished a 
courageous, able and ambitious woman, one of unusual force of 
character and forward in a most important movement. 

This is something of a digression from William Coddington. 
He reigns alone now as Judge of the Island, or, as he was now 
termed, Governor. His house is used as a meeting place, since 
there are lodged the "Coulors" and hither all men are to repair 
when the "Drumms" beat an "Alarum" in time of danger. It 
would seem that religious exercises were held under his roof, as 
"Nicholas Easton, a tanner, a man very bold, though ignorant, 
used to teach where Mr. Coddington, their Governor, lived." 
These meetings were probably of the Seeker type, and we know 
positively that when these vague tenets culminated in the new 
Quaker faith, it was in the Governor's house that the Friends 
met. 

Many and various were the duties of the chief magistrate. 
He inspected arms, made treaty with the Indian chiefs, gave out 
warrants for the train-band officers, received the heads of slain 
wolves, and held conference with the Governor of the Dutch, 
beside his purely legislative function, presiding at all courts and 
casting his double vote. A busy man was he, and once a year 



'according to the ancient forme and custom" a court of election 
vas held, and infallibly this same William Coddington was 
lected Governor, ruling his island kingdom in peace and quiet- 
less until, at length, trouble arose. 

Now the way of it was this. Newport and Providence, as 
very one knows, have ever been communities apart. Separated 
[•eographically as well as by origin, they have had little in com- 
non. One thing they both needed at the beginning of their his- 
ory, however, a need equally vital in each case. This was sane-- 
ion from the English government. Though they had bought 
heir lands fairly from the Indians, yet they were well aware that 
heir English neighbors, Plymouth and the Bay, would hold this 
,s of little importance, and that these colonies might, under their 
lastic charters, claim the tracts in question as belonging to their 
[irisdiction. Within the first months of Newport's existence, 
be matter was agitated. "Mr. Easson" and Mr. John Clark 
leing desired to treat with Sir Henry Vane, ever the friend of 
berty, concerning the "obtaining off a pattent of the Island from 
lis matie." Three years later, September, 1642, it was ordered 
' that a Comitte shall be appointed to Consult about the procura- 
6n of a Patent for this Island and Islands and the lands adja- 
ent." This committee comprised all the chief men of the 
'olony — Coddington, Brenton, Easton, John Clark, Wm. Dyre 
nd John Coggeshall — being of the number, and included in its 
lembers one half of the original purchasers then on the Island. 

The next step was to procure a messenger to bring this im- 
lortant petition to the attention of the authorities in England. 
Tow, New Providence, also feeling strongly her unprotected 
tate, had just decided to send Roger Williams, her founder and 
ead, to procure for her a charter. As he says, " Upon frequent 
xceptions against Providence men that we had no Authoritie for 
'ivill Govrmnt, I went purposely to Engl." Here was an oppor- 
Linity for the Island, and it appears probable that Roger Will- 
ams was entrusted with the task of securing the " Pattent of the 
sland" as well. He sailed in February, 1643, going by way of 
he Dutch and seeing with his own eyes that outbreak of Indian 
ostilities in which poor Mrs. Hutchinson lost her life. While 
Villiams was gone, John Clark wrote to Providence proposing a 

6 



General A.ssembly, this being the first suggestion recorded of 
union between the Island and the mainland settlements. Though 
he deems such action " moer then expedient," we have no record 
that it actually took place. 

The Charter was secured by Roger Williams, as all the world 
knows. Granted under date of March, 1644, this instrument, 
called the Warwick or Parliamentary charter, gave the people on 
" Naragansets Bay" permission to " Govern & rule themselves" 
in a manner conformable to the laws of England. Instead of 
dividing the settlements, however, it united them into one, under 
the name of " The Incorporacon of Providence Plantacons in the 
Naragansets Bay in New England." It may be that the Earl 
and Commissioners who signed the Charter, thought the "twenty- 
five English Myles" in question too small a matter to split the 
tract into two separate governments. It may also be that a con- 
siderable party on the Island approved of union, as John Clark's 
letter, just quoted, would seem to indicate. 

However this may be. Providence was highly pleased with 
Roger Williams and his charter. Not so Governor Coddington 
and his party. It seems quite certain that he utterly disapproved 
of combination with the mainland settlements. Just before the 
arrival of the charter, in August, 1644, we find him writing to 
Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts, to inquire as to "Aliance 
with yorselves or Plimouth one or both." The Commissioners 
of the United Colonies were willing to consider the matter if those 
who had "most interest on the Island" would "absolutely & 
without reservacdn submitt " to their jurisdiction. This, of 
course, would be entirely unacceptable to the Governor and the 
negotiations came to nothing. 

The Charter arrived in September, 1644, was received with 
rapture by Providence, and Roger Williams, we may suppose at 
the regular time, in the following March, chosen Chief Magis- 
trate. ''Mr. Coddington, however, (we have it on the authority 
of the Governor of Plymouth) abhorred their course, abstained 
from their meetings, and he and his friend " looked upon them- 
selves as persons in great danger, and bemoaned their condition 
to divers their friends, being now overwhelmed with cares and 
fears what would be the issue of things." Plymouth now took a 



hand by sending an Assistant, John Browne, with a solemn warn- 
ing against their taking any action under their "supposed Gov- 
ernment," as the Island assuredly lay within the bounds of 
Plymouth's I^etters Patent, whereupon the Assembly "were so 
daunted, as they brake up and did no act intended for that day." 
William Coddington, then, did not accept the Charter, but 
continued to consider himself Governor, writing to Winthrop in 
1646 that "we mentayne the Govermtt as before." So matters 
stood for over two years. Such a state of things could not con- 
tinue, and at length in May 1647, the inevitable action was 
taken, the towns met at Portsmouth and the " Colonic and Prov- 
ince of Providence" took its first corporate action. John Cogges- 
hall, one time Governor's Assistant in Massachusetts, was elected 
"President," Roger Williams and Coddington, the rival claim- 
ants, chosen Associates. It is probable that Coddington contin- 
ued to attempt alliance with the older colonies, for when, next 
year, he was elected Governor, he was immediately suspended 
until he answer certain charges, their nature not specified. 
These charges he did not answer nor did he take up his engage- 
ment as Governor, but instead journeyed to Plymouth to make 
one more effort to secure ' ' a firm and perpetual league of friend- 
ship" with the United Colonies. Their answer was the same 
discouraging one as before— only the acknowledging of Rhode 
Island as a part of Plymouth patent would be considered. It 
was enough, and Coddington resolved to try what appeal to 
England would do. 

In January 1649, then, William Coddington set sail from the 
Bay. It was hardly a time for the speedy settling of colo- 
nial quarrels. Charles First had recently been executed, Sir 
Henry Vane had for the time retired into private life, and it was 
not until 1650 that Coddington was able to present his petition, 
praying " for the grant of two islands which he purchased from 
the Indians." No doubt he carried with him the deed signed by 
" Cannonnicus" and " Miantunnomu," stating they had "sold 
unto Mr. Coddington and his friends united unto him the great 
Island of Aquidnecke " and this must have had considerable 
weight with the Council. Governor Winslow of Plymouth was 
present to urge his claim, but the Committee decided that as the 



8 



Island was not particularly mentioned in the " Ancient Pattent 
of New Plymouth " there was no reason why the Council of State 
should not grant the desire of Mr. Coddington. Grant it they 
did, under date of April, 1651. "Mr. Coddington's Commis- 
sion," as it was called, made and instituted the said William 
Coddington to be Governor of the Islands, prescribing to him a 
Council of six to be chosen yearly, but setting no bounds to his 
office, save as the Parliament should take other and farther 
order therein, he to rule in the name of the Keepers of the 
Liberties of England. Such a document as this could not 
but be most unwelcome to the members of the " Democracie " of 
Providence Plantations. The colony, hardly yet knit together, 
was, by this Commission, again torn apart and only too likely to 
fall a prey to its grasping neighbors, Plymouth and Massachu- 
setts. By August of 165 1 Coddington had returned to his Island 
kingdom, no doubt being heartily welcomed by those of his way 
of thinking. Nicholas Easton, his associate, who had been serv- 
ing as President of the four towns for more than a year, abdicated 
in his favor. Providence, as may be supposed, was up in arms. 
The sending of Mr. Williams to England had been agitated two 
months earlier. Now funds were raised in haste for his journey 
and John Clark was also persuaded to go. Their instructions 
were distinct, Mr. Clark going on behalf of the Island to obtain 
the revocation of Coddington's Commission, Roger Williams to 
secure, if possible, a new charter for the Colony, it being obvious 
that the Warwick charter had been practically invalidated by 
that commission. With Mr. Williams "gone to endeavour the 
renewing of our liberties," went, in an unfortunate day for him- 
self, our Colonial Secretary, William Dyre, and his wife Mary. 

It is a sad fact that Mr. Coddington got but little satisfaction 
from the post secured with so much pains and difficulty. Within 
the year he was driven from the Island, in fear of his life, we are 
told, and forced to take refuge in Boston. One of the chief 
causes of complaint against him on Rhode Island, was of his 
holding of that important document, the Indian deed to the set- 
tlers, and the sole witness of their liberties. To appease the 
alarm felt on this score, Coddington wrote and sent from Boston 
in April, 1652, a formal disclaimer of any further right in the 

9 



purchase of the island than his proportion, and a promise to de- 
liver up to "the purchasers and free men" the deed in question. 
Relieved of their anxiety as to any scheme of ruling as a king 
indeed, the Island men suffered him to return, and he seems to 
have taken up the reins of government again. 

Meanwhile the General Assembly meeting at Providence 
wrote to Roger Williams, now in England, suggesting that he, 
too, get an appointment from thence as Governor (though for a 
year only), in order to compel "the persons who have been re- 
fractory" "to yield themselves over as to a settled government" 
and also with the further result agreeable to Providence "and so 
the Government to bee honorably put upon this place." Such a 
plan "contrarie to the liberties and freedom of the free people of 
this colony" was disapproved of at the meeting held two months 
later at Warwick, and indeed it is hardly probable that Mr. Will- 
iams would have considered it in any case. 

At the very time of this proposal, October 1652, the com- 
mittee was obtaining from "the much honored, the Council of 
State," an order directing that the colony return to its former 
status under the first or Warwick charter, since "Mr. Codding- 
:on, sent from hence Governor of Rhode Island, hath so behaved 
limself as hath produced great matters of complaint against him." 
rhe order is couched in somewhat ambiguous terms, and when 
iespatched by the hand of William Dyre it was presented at the 
May meeting in Newport, Coddington refused to recognize it. 

From the time of its arrival, February 1653, Nicholas Easton, 
:he former President, was considered to be again in office, and 
low at the Court of Election, John Sanford of Portsmouth was 
;hosen to the position. Messengers were sent to Mr. Codding- 
:on, demanding of him "ye statute book and book of records," 
o which he replied that he would "advize with his Councell and 
hen give them an answer, for he dare not lay down his commis- 
ion having no order thereto, nor hath he seene anything to show 
hat his commission is annulled." John Sanford, nevertheless, 
vas President, orderly appointed, and thus for a space the Island 
lad two chief magnates, each, we may suppose, with his follow- 
ng. No wonder kind Sir Henry Vane inquired from England, 
'How is it that there are such dissentions among you ? Such 

10 



headiness, tumults, disorder and injustice? The noise echoes 
into the ears of all" "by every return of shipps from those parts." 
It was not until more than a year from this time that the four 
towns formally re-united and Nicholas Easton was once again 
elected President. At last, in June 1655, came an order whose 
authority Mr. Coddington recognized. This letter, signed "your 
verrie lovinge friend, Oliver P.," directed the colony in explicit 
terms, to proceed in its government according to the tenor of the 
first charter. There was no gain-saying this, and at the next 
assembly, being chosen a Commissioner, the old Governor pub- 
licly professed, "I, William Coddington, doe freely submit to ye 
authoritie of his Highness on this colony as it is now united and 
that with all my heart." With all his heart, Coddington was 
again a simple member of the "Democracie" of Providence 
Plantations. 

He was not even to hold his position as Newport's represen- 
tative, for it was decided at the same session that Newport had 
acted "somewhat inconsiderately" in choosing him for the office, 
and that considering "ye inconveniences to him and the Colonic 
seeminge to be likely to ensue," it would be best for all parties 
that he should hold no office for the present. The difficulty 
seemed to be that Mr. Coddington was more or less under cen- 
sure in England, for leaving his post and thus opening the colony 
to danger from the dreaded Dutch foe, and if elected to any office, 
they might seem to be ignoring that censure, thus perhaps risk- 
ing the favor of the council, so signally shown to them. These 
were parlous days in England, and it behooved men to walk wa- 
rily. The Assembly hoped, however, that a letter to Mr. John 
Clark, detailing "Mr. Coddington's demonstrations of good affec- 
tion of ye government" and their "owne satisfactions generally" 
might remove the difficulty. 

Apparently the more cautious counsels prevailed, for William 
Coddington was not again elected to office for seven years, or 
until the great charter of King Charles the second ensured their 
liberties beyond danger of loss. Then he was promptly appointed 
commissioner once more, and thereafter received various offices, 
being again elected Governor three times, and dying in office in 
1678. Our knowledge of the great controversy would be more 

11 



exact, were it not that at the meeting of 1656, when Coddington 
submitted and gave such satisfactory proofs of his "Good will and 
desires for ye publick good of ye Colony," it had been ordered 
that the transactions relating to his late government be cut out of 
the book of records, since they might "seem prejuditiall to him- 
selfe or others." This action precluded attacks on Mr. Codding- 
ton which might have led to serious complications for the Colony. 
It was better for all parties that the past should be forgotten. 

William Coddington 's son was Governor after him; his 
grandson was prominent in the affairs of the town. On the 
whole our first Governor conferred much more of benefit than of 
evil on the little community he ruled so long. His character is 
well summed up by one of his biographers in these words. "He 
had too much of the future for Massachusetts— too much of the 
past for Rhode Island." 

It has been said that it was in an evil hour for William Dyre, 
that he took his wife to England with him, when he sailed to aid 
in securing the revocation of Mr. Coddington 's commission. No 
one could have foreseen what a tragedy was to spring from this 
action. Mary Dyre was a strikingly interesting woman. All 
accounts describe her as comely and "of a goodly personage," 
"a very proper and fair woman." On her husband's return with 
the orders from the Council in 1652-3, she remained behind and 
came under the influence of the preachers of the newly established 
sect of Quakers. They were then in the first fervor of the deliv- 
ery of the great message which they felt they had for the world: 
"Inner light" was the chief article of their faith, and it was be- 
lieved by their opponents that their claim to the right of indi- 
vidual judgment tended to the destruction of all existing institu- 
tions, civil as well as religious. They were hated and dreaded, 
fiercely persecuted in England, and, as one may suppose, by no 
means welcome in New England. Mary Dyre became convinced, 
and returned to her home late in 1656, an armed Quaker. 

"Friends." though they called themselves, Massachusetts 
Bay rather regarded them as enemies, of the most dangerous sort. 
A law had just been passed designed to protect the godly commu- 
nity from that "cursed sect of Quakers," whereby should any 
member of it find his way thither, he was to be denied communi- 

12 



cation with any, and, after punishment, shipped out of the Juris- 
diction. Mary Dyre's entrance to the country was through Bos- 
ton, and, though her sole busiuess was to pass on to her home, 
she was arrested and held a prisoner until her husband, notified 
of her plight, might come and take her away. He was bound in 
a great penalty not to lodge her in any Massachusetts town on 
the way or suffer her to hold speech with any. Thus it appears 
that Mary Dyre was the first Quaker to set foot in Newport, and 
it may well be that her influence had its share in the kind wel- 
come accorded to later arrivals. It was in August of the follow- 
ing year that the first English Quakers reached the old town. By 
sea they came, having crossed the ocean in a tiny vessel, far too 
small for safety, that yet somehow reached New Amsterdam, their 
first port, without mishap. 

A part of the voyagers tarried here, the rest proceeding to 
Newport. As the six Quaker ministers, men and women, stepped 
soberly on the Newport landing, they had reached, though as yet 
they knew it not, a haven of safety. Their peculiar tenets found 
a ready echo in men's minds on the Island, for the very opinions 
that had been instrumental in driving Coddington and the rest 
away from their settled habitations, were of a like sort. Not yet 
called Quakerism at that time, the doctrines were akin, nor was 
it long before many of the chief men of the colony — Easton, Wal- 
ter Clarke, even Coddington himself, had accepted the new faith. 
But, alas for the poor Quakers! It was of the essence of their 
creed to follow the light within, and it is obvious that conscien- 
tious heart searchings would lead the tender of soul to the very 
point of danger. Within a week of their arrival these intrepid 
folk were venturing into Plymouth colony, and soon after to Bos- 
ton itself. The United Colonies wrote in a mighty flutter to 
Rhode Island, remonstrating with her for harboring these "noto- 
rious heritiques," and requesting that they be sent away. The 
colony replied, through its Governor, Benedict Arnold, that "we 
have no laws among us whereby to punish any for only declaring 
their minds concerning the things and ways of God," adding 
that where these people are suffered to declare themselves freely, 
there they least of all desire to come. The Colonies did not take 
the hint, but banished, flogged, and in the case of Massachusetts, 

13 



proceeded to stronger measures. More and more stringent laws 
were passed, as the unwearied zealots still returned to bear their 
testimony against a persecuting spirit. Whippings and imprison- 
ment not daunting them, the penalty of ear-cropping followed and 
was actually inflicted on three men, two of whom had been of the 
Newport arrivals of 1657. Mary Dyre, meanwhile was bearing 
her share of the work, preaching in New Haven colony in 1658 
and being expelled thence. In this year the Massachusetts law 
was made still more extreme. Death was to be the penalty for 
the return of a banished Quaker. 

This was a challenge not to be ignored. The enthusiastic 
apostles of Quakerism believed a call laid upon them to test this 
"bloody law" and to Boston they went. In September 1659, at 
the time of the General Court, appeared two English Friends and 
Mary Dyre, also a little Providence girl of eleven, the niece of 
Anne Hutchinson. Their purpose was to protest against this 
persecuting spirit. The elders of the party were banished on 
pain of death. Mary Dyre departed to her home, but not for 
long. Gathering up some of her way of faith, she returned to 
Boston, moved, as they all believed, "of the Lord." What was 
to be done? It was a difficult position for the magistrates. The 
law passed with the intention of terrorizing the Quakers, was 
failing of its effect. Endicott, the Governor, was always savage 
against them, though the popular feeling was strongly in their 
favor. It was resolved that an example should be made of the 
three, and ihey were condemned to death. This was only a pre- 
tence in the case of Mary Dyre, as a reprieve had been decided 
on, upon the petition of her son. The sentence was executed on 
the two men, Mary Dyre supposing herself reserved for the same 
fate. At the last moment the reprieve was produced, to the joy 
of the sympathizing crowd, who fairly lifted her down from the 
ladder to which she had mounted, under the great elm tree on 
Boston common. How unwillingly Mary Dyre accepted her life 
at the "wicked hands" of her judges, her letter to the Massachu- 
setts Court, written the day after her reprieve, shows. She had 
fully made up her mind to seal her cause with her blood, and it 
was a "disturbance" to her that she was not allowed to do so. 
However, she was sent away to Newport, and her life, for that 
time, saved. 

14 



She did not remain long at home. Journeyinor to Shelter 
Island in the Dutch jurisdiction, where a few Quakers had al- 
ready gathered, she told them that she felt the call to return to 
the "bloody town of her sad and heavy experience." Mary Dyre 
did not return to Newport, but travelling secretly and speedily 
by way of Narragansett and Providence, she arrived at Boston, 
demanding the repeal of "their wicked law against God's peo- 
ple," at the very next General Court, May 21st, 1660. It was 
too much, and sentence was again passed on her, she replying, 
undaunted, "That is no more than you said before." William 
Dyre wrote a most pathetic letter of appeal to Governor Endicott, 
praying for the life of his "dearely beloved wife." He says that 
he "cannot tell how in the frame of her spiritt she was moved 
thus againe to runn so great a Hazard," risking her life for "I 
know not whatt end or to what purpose;" begs that the Courts 
"forwonted compassion" be not "conquered by her inconsider- 
ate madness," but that "mercies wings" may "once more sore 
above justice ballance," and closes with the petition "Oh, do not 
deprive me of her, but, I pray, give her me once again." Pitty 
me, I begg itt with teares." 

This letter, written from Portsmouth and dated 27tli of 3d 
1660, was sent in vain. The Court had made its decision, and 
on the first of June the sentence was actually executed; and Mary 
Dyre was hung on Boston common. She was told that she might 
save her life, if she would return to her home, but she refused, 
saying that she had come in obedience to the will of the Lord, 
and that she would abide faithful to his will to the death. A 
martyr in very deed was Mary Dyre, and her sacrifice was not 
in vain, for by the following year the report ot the Quaker 
sufferings had so worked upon King Charles, that he sent out a 
royal mandamus, forbidding further proceedings against them by 
the colonists. Floggings and imprisonments, indeed, did not 
cease, but the sentence of death they no longer dared carry out. 
A grave on the Dyre farm on the Point, where is now the Naval 
Hospital, was long pointed out as that of Mary Dyre, and was a 
place of pilgrimage to many who esteemed her one who had died 
in the cause of righteousness. 

Events are curiously intertwined. There was present at 

15 



Mary Dyre's first time of trial, an officer, Edward Wanton by- 
name. It is said that he went home, and unbuckling his sword, 
said, "Mother, we have been persecuting the Lord's people." 
He wholeheartedly joined the despised sect, and was in danger 
of his life for it, refusing either to change or depart from his 
Salem home. This Edward Wanton, dwelling later in Scituate 
and prominent there as a ship builder, was the ancestor of the 
well known Newport family of that name, from which came no 
less than four governors of the colony of Rhode Island. 

It was natural that Newport's liberal policy should attract 
the Quakers. More and more of these persecuted people settled 
here, proving themselves excellent citizens. By the end of the 
Century, Newport was more than half Quaker, and the business 
acumen and thrift of the Friends, helped in large measure to make 
the town the thriving place it now more and more tends to be- 
come. Broad brimmed hats and plain speech were combined with 
comfort and even luxury of living, and many of our finest old 
houses were built by the Quaker gentry of their day. 

Perhaps, following the early days, with their stirring events, 
the most picturesque period in Newport is that of our commer- 
cial expansion. The days of savage neighbor and grasping fel- 
low colony passed with the seventeenth century. No longer did 
Miantonomoh come to Newport town to see justice done, appar- 
elled in his fine coat of English cloth and wearing the broad 
bands of wampum, as the chieftains used, no longer did Ply- 
mouth seek to interfere in our affairs. Rhode Island's bounds 
were settled and her troubles set at rest. Terrified fugitives 
from the mainland and sullen Indian captives no longer were 
seen in our streets. The excitement on which the little settle- 
ment lives now comes from another source. The lure of the sea, 
the advantages of our uncomparable harbor, begin to be felt. 
No doubt boats were built here from the beginning: now it is 
ships, and voyages begin. Coastwise at first to Connecticut or 
the Dutch, they are soon extended further, and the West Indes 
begin to find us profitable, if not near neighbors. Our lumber, 
cheeses and fine horses go over seas, and back come sugar and 
molasses — most valuable cargoes. Now a further enterprise is 
manifested. Commerce expands in more distant ventures. A 

16 



regular line of packets runs to England. Newport vessels bring 
home wares from many a distant shore, and a stream of wealth 
begins to flow into the little town, which is to work a great trans- 
formation in its life and appearance. 

No small factor in all this activity was the presence of the 
Portuguese Jews, who, welcomed kindly here, had rewarded 
those who gave them asylum with the experience and ability 
which they brought with them. Rodriguez, Lopez, Seixas, 
their ships took the most daring voyages, their wealth was sec- 
ond to none, their reputation for fair dealing and character stood 
high indeed. 

We can imagiue the changes that commerce would bring to 
Newport. The townsfolk grew accustomed to the sound of 
hammer and saw, as vessels were built in that "Cove," then an 
important part of the town's life, now only a memory. For rig- 
ging and re-fitting, rope walks were built, where the cordage 
could be spun; one after another, wharves were added to the 
Marlborough St. pier and "Queen's Hithe" which had sufficed 
for the town in primitive times; sailors boarding houses below 
Thames St. accommodated the tarry gentry of pigtails and be- 
ringed ears. The hddle and stamping feet heard thence be- 
tokened their times of revelry. Young men of good family went 
on voyages as supercargo, not always — alas — to venture, as fever 
claimed its unseasoned victims; Newport girls sent out small 
"ventures" of earrings or what not, in the hope of a return with 
profit. Newport warehouses swelled to bursting with foreign 
goods and — one hates to think of it — poor scared blacks trod 
timidly these streets, wondering what their fate was to be in this 
new land to which they had been hurried. Many and many a 
story is told of these "spacious times," of the wealth and liber- 
ality of our merchants, of the ventures that went forth and the 
rich returns that came back. Nor was peaceful commerce all. 
England was perpetually at war with Spaniard or Frenchman in 
our colonial period, and it behoved all "natural subjects of our 
Prince" to give aid and comfort in any way possible. What 
more laudable then, than to harass the enemy by preying on his 
commerce? The gains thus obtained far surpassed, as may be 
supposed, anything won in the regular way of business, and the 

17 



risk gave an added touch of excitement, welcome to daring 
spirits. Privateer after privateer, built and manned in Newport, 
sailed with all on board high in hope of fortune and adventure. 
This was absolutely legitimate, but it is said that the hardy mari- 
ners were not always ready to believe that the war was really 
over, if peace unfortunately supervened before they were ready 
for it. Pirates then they were termed and pirates, in the more 
usual sense, Newport in its earlier days, assuredly has seen. 
The whole Atlantic seaboard shares the reproach of harboring 
men whose commissions were doubtful and their deeds even more 
so. The Moor or the Portuguese might be spoiled, ships in the 
Indian seas yield up rich treasures of jewels and silver bars, but a 
free handed free-booter showed only his more agreeable side to the 
coast towns. New York and the more southerly ports welcomed 
such, and Newport seems not to have inquired too closely as to 
the origin of their wealth, some saying that it was no sin to kill 
infidels, and that the riches were secured where money was as 
plenty as stones and sand. 

Thomas Tew, of the well known Newport family, William 
Mayes, Joseph Bradish — a genuine pirate this last — have all 
shown their faces here. Captain William Kiad, the famous naval 
officer and privateersman, turned buccaneer, is said to have actu- 
ally lived in Newport on King, now Franklin St. As his pirati- 
cal career," in Malabar and Madagascar" only extended over 
five years, it may have been in his more regular capacity that he 
resided among us. It is certain that when captured and confined 
in Boston, he sent to Captain Thomas Paine, the old privateers- 
man, then living on Jamestown, to forward to him twenty-four 
ounces of gold. 

Captain Kidd, "as he sailed, as he sailed" has become a fa- 
vorite hero of ballad lore, and his "ninety bars of gold and dol- 
lars manifold, with riches uncontrolled," as he jailed, are still 
detailed in the old song. In Newport, as elsewhere, boys 
searched for pirate treasure, more especially on the islands of the 
bay, and a number of years ago, a small hoard of old Spanish 
coins was actually found near the Boathouse, a very convenient 
and usual spot for landing. Blackbeard, the pirate, has also ap- 
peared here, being conveyed away in Captain Malbone's sloop, 

18 



the expense of his passage being defrayed by moneys belonging 
to him, then in the hands of the authorities. That we were not 
alone in our toleration of pirates, or quasi-pirates, is shown by the 
complaint against the Governor of New York that when the re- 
doubtable Thomas Tew visited New York he was "received and 
caressed by Gov. Fletcher and they exchanged presents, as gold 
watches, ettc, with one another." The Governor attempted to 
excuse himself, however, on the plea that Tew was a very pleas- 
ant man, and he wished to reclaim him from his vile habit of 
swearing. Perhaps some tenderness for these doubtful, though 
courageous seafarers was inevitable in that day of disturbed con- 
ditions, wars and rumors of wars. Certain it is that life on pri- 
vateer and merchant vessel alike bred a race of hardy seamen, 
invaluable in the later struggles, between America and the mother 
country. 

One of our most interesting early tales of the sea is that of 
Charles Wager. Captain John Hull was a Quaker sea captain, 
who in the last quarter of the 17th century conducted a regular 
line of packets from Newport to London. His wife was a daugh- 
ter of Admiral Tiddeman of England. She had a sister, whose 
husband dying of the plague, Hull seems to have adopted the 
son, his nephew. He was brought up to the sea and proved him- 
self hardy and resourceful. The good Captain practised, as a 
Quaker, non-resistance. The story goes that on one of its trips, 
his packet was attacked by a French privateer, armed, but of no 
very great size. Captain Hull, of course, could not defend him- 
self, but he allowed his apprentice to take command, himself re- 
tiring to the cabin, whence he called out "Charles, if thee in- 
tends to run over that schooner, thee must put the helm a little 
more to the starboard." The combined seamanship of master 
and pupil prevailed, and the privateer was struck and sunk while 
the Newport vessel went rejoicing on her way. It is said that 
the daring of this act first brought young Wager to the notice of 
the British admiralty. Commg into a considerable fortune, pos- 
sibly from his step father, who' died when the young man was 
twenty-two, Charles Wager removed to England, entered the 
Navy and rose rapidly, until he became an Admiral. The story 
is related of a meeting between him and the plain old Quaker, 

19 



when Hull inquiring for him of one of his subordinates, asked 
"Where is Charles?" 

This, the Lieutenant thought great presumption as applied to 
an admiral of England, but Wager rebuked him, saying "Mr. Hull, 
sir, is my honored master." It is said that the Admiral sent 
each year a quarter cask of wine to his old friend, as a remem- 
brance. Charles Wager was buried in Westminster Abby, noted 
on his memorial there as "Admiral of the White and Privy Coun- 
cellor," one "esteemed and favored by his King, beloved and 
honored by his country," and a man whom "no danger ever dis- 
composed." 

Another interesting tale of land and water is found in the 
careers of the brothers John and William Wanton, sons of that 
Edward Wanton, whose story has been told. They were Quakers 
for at least part of their lives, yet could not be said to practise 
non-resistance. It is very probable that they came to Newport 
through their oldest brother Joseph, who as a shipbuilder was 
settled at Tiverton. He married and established himself there 
when they were mere lads of eighteen or nineteen. Five years 
later we find them in Newport, and it was at this time that they 
performed the daring exploit that won them so much fame. A 
pirate had appeared off the coast, cruising back and forth be- 
tween Point Judith and Block Island, stopping the coasting ves- 
sels and causing endless annoyance. 

The two young men, William and John Wanton, then only 
24 and 22 years of age, resolved to abate the nuisance. The 
pirate was a vessel of 300 tons with twenty cannon. The 
Wantons secured a sloop of 30 tons. Mustering their friends 
about them, and arming them with muskets, they put to sea. 
The pirate, on sighting them, fired a shot to bring them to. The 
small and harmless looking vessel luffed up to come alongside, 
but, instead, swinging round to the stern, so as to be out of reach 
of the guns, was, on the instant, secured there by grappling 
irons. Thus securely fastened to the pirate, the Newporters 
bronght their nniskets into play. As fast as a man appeared on 
deck, he was picked off by these deadly marksmen, until at 
length the vessel surrendered. The pirates were taken into 
Newport, tried and executed. 

20 



The Wantons received great praise for this feat, and for the 
capture of another privateer three years later, and on going to 
England in 1702 were received and feted by Queen Anne. An 
addition to their coat of arms was granted them, and they were 
presented with pieces of plate — punch bowl and salver, on which 
was inscribed : 

Omnipotente numine magistro 

Volat hie Hercules ocyus vento 

Multo cum sanguine capitur hostes, 

Vinci nti poculum dabitur Wantoni 

which has been translated : 

Leader, all powerful, favored of heaven 
Strong as a Hercules, storm-like he flies. 
Desperate the contest — high the emprise 
To conquering Wanton the cup shall be given. 

"Young men for action, old men for council." It was 
thirty eight years after his daring exploit, that William Wanton 
was elected Governor of the colony, having in the mean time 
served many times as Deputy and Assistant. His brother John, 
had much the same history, succeeding William, at his death, 
in office, and being re-elected each year until 1740, when he, too, 
died. The two brothers lived in handsome houses, opposite to 
one another, on Thames St., one, now the Boston Store, showing 
plain traces of its origin until within a few years. John and 
William Wanton were in their day emphatically first citizens of 
the town, wealthy, benevolent, and well known as patrons of art 
and literature. 

Many are the tales that belong to our period of commercial 
expansion. Most Newporters have heard the story of the mys- 
terious ship, that came in, all sails set, on Baston's beach, so 
softly as to be unhurt. No one was on board, though the cat and 
dog were in the cabin, and the kettle boiling on the galley stove. 
She was a Newport vessel, over due, but what had become of her 
crew was never known. She was got off, rechristened the Beach- 
bird and made many more voyages, surely securing forecastle 
hands where her history was unknown, if sailors were then, as 
now, a superstitious set. 

21 



"Shepherd Tom," that prince of story tellers, has a narrative 
of a huge shark that followed one of our Newport slavers, as was 
not infrequent in those days. A boy was bathing on the Narra- 
gansett shore, and his father, watching him, was horrified to see 
the great fin cutting the water. He did not dare to give a warn- 
ing, but holding up a Spanish silver dollar shouted a promise 
that the boy should have it, if he reached him in two minutes. 
The race was a close one. The father snatched his son from the 
water just as the shark snapped at him, rushing up on the shore 
so impetuously that he was despatched by some men working 
near. 

Another tale of the sea is of the Newport mariner, son of a 
Governor, who, lost for many years; sold into slavery and be- 
lieved dead, at length returned just on the eve of his wife's mar- 
riage with another man. Peterson, who tells the story, says 
"The heart of Cranston was filled with the most painful emotion 
that his lovely and adored wife was about to espouse another." 
However all ends happily, he is recognized and accepted and 
"Mr. Russell of Boston" who had thought to claim her for his 
own, now bestows on the lady the sum which he had planned to 
settle upon her as his wife. This, Mr. Peterson assures us, is 
fact, though it sounds so much like fiction. 

The wild legend of the Palatine ship or storm ship is well 
known; the apparition of a burning vessel seen far out at sea, 
recalling an ancient tale of horror and cruelty, and foretelling a 
storm. 

Perhaps among the most picturesque figures of a picturesque 
age was the famous merchant, Godfrey Malbone. Born a Vir- 
ginia boy, he early showed impatience of restraint, running away 
to sea. Inheriting later a large fortune, he settled in Newport 
and became one of the first of our merchant princes. He owned 
both trading vessels and privateers, at one time 200 sail, it is 
said. Many stories are told of his convivial temper, his bold 
and untamed spirit and his wide hospitality. His country 
house near Tammany hill and overlooking the bay, was said 
to be one of the finest in the colonies. Its cost, if our au- 
thorities are to be believed, was one hundred thousand dollars, 
it had a front of 64 feet, and a good deal resembled the Court 

22 



House, architecturally. Here Malbone kept open house, and 
hither his captains resorted after a successful voyage. It is said 
that he would give a grand entertainment on these occasions with 
food of the best and wine in profusion, but with plain crockery. 
At the close of the feast, he would set the example by hurling 
down and smashing his plate, when the guests would follow suit, 
breaking everything on the table in mad frolic. In the mood of 
boisterous good fellowship thus engendered, they were perfectly 
willing to sign for a new voyage, all dangers and difKcnlties for- 
gotten. Malhone's house burned to the ground one June day, some 
twenty years after its building, and the story goes that, seeing it 
doomed, he coolly ordered his dinner table set out on the lawn, 
and bade his guests continue their repast, saying that he saw no 
reasons why they should be disturbed. 

Malbone's garden was a noted one, with its box walks, or- 
namental plantations and fish ponds stocked with silver fish. It 
long remained one of the sights of the town, even to within the 
memory of the present generation, but all has now vanished ; 
only the depressions where the ponds used to be, indicating its 
position. 

One more story told of Godfrey Malbone shows his hearty 
humor. He had been heard to say "What will not money buy." 
A wit of the town wrote and put up in a public place, the follow- 
ing verse 

"All the money in the place 

Won't buy old Malbone a handsome face." 

Malbone was in a towering rage and offered ten guineas re- 
ward for the discovery of the offender ; whereupon the man him- 
self came forward, confessed and claimed the reward. Malbone 
was so amused at his impudence that he actually paid him the 
ten guineas and treated him beside. Owner of privateers and 
slave ships though he was, Malbone was a good churchman. 
He helped to found Trinity Church, and under the old edifice he 
was laid, no small part in his day of the life of the old town. 

It is impossible to linger too long over these, Newport's 
great days. Royal interference from across the water was soon 
to ruin our extensive commerce. We were too well off and too 
prosperous for certain jealous ones, the West Indian sugar plant- 
ers for example, and the restrictions of trade, at times severely 

23 



enforced, struck a death blow at Newport's prosperity. Follow 
friction and clashes, small rebellions and endless trouble with the 
servants of the King. The story has often been told of our bold 
resistance to what was called "ministerial tyranny." Newport's 
temper leaned strongly toward defiance, as early as 1765, when 
stamp tax officers were ignominously driven forth, as enemies of 
their country, their houses knocked about, and their possessions 
destroyed. They swung and hung in effigy on the Parade, and 
Newport was quite Revolutionary, ten years before the proper 
time. The tale, though most interesting, can not be told in de- 
tail here. 

More within our scope, perhaps, are the days when Revolu- 
tion had actually come to pass, and in its course Newport found 
itself in the English grasp, and an army actually quartered within 
Its borders. There had ever been an aristocratic party in New- 
port. Coddingtons, Brentons, Wantons, Vernons, were bound 
by many ties to the mother country. The sentiment was 
strengthened by the presence of successive officials who, sent out 
as collector of the port or what not, were loyal to King and coun- 
try. From this party came the Tories, those despised beings 
who withheld their sympathy from their fellow countrymen, in 
this, the crisis of their fate. They were vehemently detested by 
all true patriots, and must have felt themselves in a somewhat 
unpleasant minority, but probably, having taken a position, 
found it difficult to recede from it. 

Newport's young ladies had always a great reputation for 
3eauty, and the charming Tory belles received most graciously 
:he fine young officers, thus dropped down at their very doors. 
Dances and entertainments took place among the members of this 
/ery select circle, thus thrown on one another for amusement, 
^mong those much admired were the fascinating Misses Hunter, 
laughters of Dr. William Hunter, a Scotch surgeon, and the 
)eautiful Misses Robinson. Their father, " Quaker Tom," was 
LH ardent loyalist, but by no means approved of the attentions of 
,uch worldly persons as red-coated officers, to his charming 
laughters. It was difficult to get out of Newport in those days 
)f occupation, but Mr. Robinson procured a flag of truce and 
racked them off to their kin in Narragansett. The suitors were 

24 



in despair, but the father was obdurate, and no one of his daugh- 
ters wedded an officer of the King. The story is told of these 
charmers that one admirer, despairing of obtaining access in any 
other way, threw himself from his boat, to be carried dripping 
across the forbidden threshold, and thus obtain a smile or a look 
of pity. It may have been this incident that finally decided 
" Quaker Tom" that strong measures alone could save his girls 
from their too insistent wooers. 

Days of trouble were these, in spite of such gleams of sun- 
shine. Arrogant commanders, scarcity of provision, the difficulty 
of communication with the outer world, fear of bombardment 
from hovering French fleets- -poor Newport passed a troubled 
term of three years. What a relief it must have been, when the 
troops at length departed, and at last the hated red-coats, " lob- 
ster backs," the Boston boys called them, were no more seen on 
our streets. Instead, we got far more welcome guests — our gen- 
erous allies, the young Frenchmen, who came to us, their hearts 
brimming with enthusiasm for America, Liberty and the great 
General Washington. What a delightful memory they have left 
with us ! All accounts unite to praise their gaiety, their courtesy 
and the perfect discipline that marked their troops. No one, 
high or low, had cause to regret that the French had come to 
Newport. The white coat turned back with pink or blue, the 
waving plumes, the Tri-color cockade, when these appeared, 
merriment abounded, and all sorts of good times marked the days 
of their stay here. How they admired the Newport girls ! They 
said that their way of hair-dressing was a couple of years behind 
the style, but their beauty and wit they admired unreservedly, 
and a special niche in their hearts was kept for the lovely Quaker 
maidens, in the soft, becoming garb of their sect. Especially did 
they admire fair Polly Lawton, who lived in the old house still 
standing on the corner of Spring and Touro streets, and who tried 
to persuade them of the error of their ways in desiring to fight at 
all. Peggy Champlin, the fascinating Misses Hunter, charming 
Polly Wanton who had "a very cunning look," her lovely cousin, 
Mary Bull, with each and all they were deep in love. It is said 
on good authority that De Ferssen, afterwards a favorite with 
Marie Antoinette, was enamored of the eldest and most beautiful 

25 



Miss Hunter — Eliza — but that she refused him because of her 
impaired eyesight. She never married nor did he, but today her 
miniature and a copy of his, sent in more modern times over seas, 
stand together in a Newport drawing room, to tell of what might 
have been. 

Diamond rings scratched on window panes, names and true 
lovers knots — the Vernon house had praise of the Misses Hunter, 
the Hazard house on Broad street (her home) the words " charm- 
ing Polly Wanton " in a small delicate hand. Count Segur says 
in his Memoirs : " The ladies of Newport have acquired strong 
claims upon our gratitude, by the kind reception they honored us 
with," and the Countess de Noailles sent Miss Hunter a beautiful 
Sevres service, still extant, in token of her appreciation of the 
hospitality shown her husband. 

Charming young men — the flower of France — one grieves to 
think of the terrible storm of the French Revolution so soon to 
break over their heads, and in which some were to go down and 
other? hardly to win through. These were their good days, and 
America owes a debt she can never repay to their generous ardor 
and sacrifices in the cause of freedom. Who would have thought 
at the close of that desperate struggle that we should be involved 
with England again in less than thirty years? So it proved, and 
it is to the period of the War of 1812, that Newport owes its most 
romantic figure. It was in the opening year of that war, a flotilla 
of gunboats guarded our bay, and in command was a young dash- 
ing ofBcer of 27 — almost a Newporter, too, as he had lived here 
through the impressionable years of boyhood, and had for a year 
been married to a charming young Newport girl of sixteen. 
What a daring spirit it was ! He chafed under the tedium of 
guard duty and longed to distinguish himself. Oliver Hazard 
Perry could never be contented out of the thick of the fight. It 
was proposed at this time to build a fleet on the Great Lakes, to 
combat England's power there, and Perry applied for the duty. 
His request was granted, and he prepared for the great effort. 
The task was an heroic one. Not only had he to take the long 
journey through the wilderness to reach the Lakes, but on arrival 
actually to construct the fleet with which the enemy were to be 
met. Perry summoned to his aid the Newport boys, friends of 

26 



his childhood, and the hardy Newport boat builders, than whom 
there were no better anywhere. He was living at this time in 
the Brenton or " Coe " house, standing on Thames street, but 
retired, with a gravel sweep and trees before the door. The old 
house is now hidden from sight behind modern buildings and only 
reached by way of Mary street. On this gravel sweep Perry 
drilled his recruits. Having secured a sufficient number, about 
150, the journey was begun. The shipwrights carried their tools 
with them and, reaching the Lakes, so well did they work that in 
ninety days from the actual cutting of the trees, six vessels were 
built and ready for service. The undertaking seemed, from every 
point of view, a desperate one. It was said that a British fleet 
had never been defeated, and the young, untried officer was un- 
dertaking a tremendous venture in meeting the seasoned foe. 

The result everyone knows. "We have met the enemy and 
they are ours," flashed through the country with the speed of 
light. The nation went wild. Honors, gifts, banqnets and 
addresses were showered on the youthful hero. Newport greeted 
his return with ringing of bells and salutes from the fort and flo- 
tilla. The shipping was dressed and he was received by his 
townsmen in mass, and escorted to his home. That night the 
State House was illuminated. The town presented to him, as its 
share of the universal homage, a silver vase "of the largest size" 
surmounted by an eagle. It is sad to think of the early sacrifice 
of this most promising young life. Sent on a mission to Ven- 
ezuela in 1819, his impatient temper led to his leaving the ship 
for a small boat in ascending one of those beautiful South Ameri- 
can rivers. The connection was not then known between the 
attacks of the deadly mosquitoes that swarm there and yellow 
fever. Perry was so seriously infected that not even his youth 
and fine constitution could save him. His death was deeply and 
sincerely mourned, and seven years later his body was brought 
with state and ceremony to Newport. Carried on a United States 
frigate, it was met at the landing by a boat shaped funeral car 
canopied and plumed with black, and drawn by four white horses. 
Naval officers, militia companies and townsmen formed an impos- 
ing cortege, and it is said that the ceremony was the most im- 
pressive ever seen in Newport. 

27 



Our statue on the Mall, by the son of one of Perry's old sail- 
ing masters, represents him, it would seem, at the bow of his 
boat, as he transfers flag and command from his sinking flagship. 
It was for long a custom with the Newport Artillery while hold- 
ing their parade on the loth of September, the anniversary of the 
battle of Lake Erie, to hah and briefly serenade the families of 
Perry and his associates in the great victory. The house of Mrs. 
Perry, of course, on the Parade and then those of Captains Tailor, 
Brownell and Cotton and Purser Breese were all remembered. 
Perry was a remarkable man, and he is Newport's most cherished 
hero — ever young and beautiful — a noble boy. Perhaps the old 
town's romance finds its culminating point in his ardent and dar- 
ing character. 

Today's review, however, has surely proved to us that New- 
port has never lacked for courage and initiative in her sons, that 
she has lived through many and many a day of high romance, 
and has tales to tell us, had we ears to hear, that are not sur- 
passed by any seaport town of our coast. 

The poets have not forgotten us and the wistful charm of 
days that are gone show in their verse. It seems fitting to con- 
clude with one of Bret Harte's, probably written during his sum- 
mer here, and a well known and well loved poem of Gov. Van 

Zandt's. 

A NEWPORT ROMANCE 

They say she died of a broken heart 

(I tell the tale as 'twas told to me ) 
But her spirit lives and her soul is part 

Of the sad old house by the sea. 

Her lover was fickle and fine and French, 

It was nearly a hundred years ago 
That he sailed away from her arms, poor wench. 

With Admiral Rochambeau. 



But she kept the posies of mignonette 
That he gave, and ever as their bloom failed 

And failed, though with her tears still wet, 
Her youth with their own exhaled. 

Till one night when the sea fog wrapped a shroud 
Round spar and spire, tarn and tree. 

Her soul went up in the lifted cloud 
From the sad old house by the sea. 



28 



And ever since then when the clock strikes two, 

She walks unbidden from room to room ; 
And the air is filled as she passes through 

With a subtle, sad perfume. 

The delicate odor of mignonette. 

The ghost of a dead and gone bouquet 
Is all that tells her story— yet 

Could she think of a sweeter way ? 

and Mr. Van Zandt's " The Little Old Woman," comprising in 
its graceful verse two separate stories : 

THE LITTLE OLD WOMAN 

There's a little old woman lives over the way 
In a gambrel-roofed cottage unpainted and grey 
And where the brown grape vine is clambering across 
The shingles are covered with patches of moss. 

By the wood fire-side in the winter she sits, 
In a list bottomed rocker, and sings as she knits, 
In a quavering voice with a tremulous croon. 
And the click of her needle keeps time to the tune. 

Her Bible she reads, slowly turning the leaves. 
And she garners bright grain from its beautiful sheaves ; 
And the tears dim her eyes, as she lifts them on high. 
In search of her treasures laid up in the sky. 

In her best Sunday gown, whether ailing or well, 
She trots to her meeting at sound of the bell. 
And she sits in her pew, like a wren on its perch. 
This little grey dame in a Puritan church. 

Our very old people remember, they think. 
When her hair was as glossy and black as a mink, 
And her cheeks red as roses, her teeth white as pearls. 
And this little old woman the fairest of girls. 

She had a dear lover, alack and a day ! 

A sailor who sailed from the beautiful bay. 

And the summers may blush and the winters may pale. 

But their sun never shines on his home-coming sail. 

At a little round tabl efrom over the sea 
She sits at the sunset and pours out her tea 
And the delicate cup and its saucer are white 
As a floating pond lily, just kissed by the light. 

And a ship under sail, with its flag at the mast, 
All laden with memories brought from the past 
Is painted upon them, as life like and fair 
As the mirage that floats in the orient air. 

20 



His ship that he sailed in— his sweetheart to wed 
By others forgotten — the sunset grows red — 
But the little old woman just murmurs a prayer 
And smiles as she knows that her lover is there. 

But a day will soon come when the lilac's perfume 
Through the half open window will float through the room 
And the house will be quiet and she be at rest 
With a single white rose on her motionless breast. 

And the angels will come with their glittering wings. 
While the parson he prays and the choir it sings, 
And bear to the home that is fairer than day 
The little old woman from over the way. 




30 



Postage Stamp Currency Used During the 
Civil War 

The accompanying diagrams illustrate a series of postage 
stamp currency used during the civil war, which were issued in 
July, 1862, by the firm of William Newton & Co., 186 and 188 
Thames Street, Newport, Rhode Island. 

The senior member of this firm was my father, and at the 
time the currency was issued I was a clerk in his store. Re- 
cently in looking over some old papers I came across two original 
copies of each, before stamps had been attached thereto, of the 
four denominations, viz: 5^ and 10/ printed on one sheet, and 
25/ and 50/ on another, not cut apart nor trimmed, but just as 
they came from the printer; each note being 2I" x 4.^" . 

As this currency is rare and novel, it was thought in order 
to preserve one of these complete sets that a proper disposition of 
them would be with the Newport Historical Society, I tiierefore 
take pleasure in forwarding the notes herewith. 



Postage Stamps. 



WII^LffAM WEWTOH «& CO. 

Importers 81 Xtealorsin 

Choice Family Groceries, 

Corner of Thames and Pelham streets, 
ADJOINING THE POBT OFFICE. 



5 

Cents. 



A brief synopsis of the history of the firm and its predeces- 
sors follows: The business was originally established in 183 1 
by Simon Newton (born in the year 1772, died November 27, 
1862), who continued in business with his sons until 1841 when 
he retired. In 1833, the firm was changed to J. R. Newton & 
Co., composed of Simon and James Rogers Newton. In 1838, 
to E. F. & W. Newton, composed of Simon, Edward Fare and 



31 



William Newton. In 184 1, same firm name, composed of Ed- 
ward F., James R., and William Newton. In 1849, the firm 
name was changed to Newton Brothers, without change in firm 
membership. James R. Newton withdrew from the firm in 1851, 
and Edward F. Newton in 1856. On January 22, 1859, the firm 
of William Newton & Co. succeeded that of Newton Brothers, 
being composed of William Newton (born December 13, 1815, 
died September 25, 1862) and his nephew Thomas Pitman New- 
ton, and some time later another nephew, Stephen Ayrault New- 
ton, became a member of the firm. The business was carried on 
until a few years after the death of the senior member of the firm, 
when it was discontinued. 

"The Numismatist," a magazine devoted to coins, medals 
and paper money, of Baltimore, Maryland, published in their 
issue of July, 19 13, diagrams of the 5/ and 10/ notes with the 
following remarks: *' Through the kindness of Mr. Henry Rus- 
sell Drowne we illustrate this month two varieties of an ex- 
tremely interesting and rare series of private paper notes which 
at one time circulated as money. * * Only these two speci- 
mens have ever come to the attention of numismatists, and were 
obtained years ago by Mr. Drowne from Mr. Lyman H. Low. 
Mr. Drowne has tried to obtain a detailed history of the notes 
and the manner and extent of their history. * * It is sup- 
posed that there were also 25/ and 50/ notes." 

The two notes referred to above are dated July 4, 1862, 
while those herewith are dated July 25, 1862, also, the directions 





Ittiteir plates 
X 

F^ostage Stamps. 




1 


I 

c 


i 

en Is. 


ImpoTtSTi £; Dealers in 

Choioo Family Groceries, 

Comer of Thames and rdhom streets, 
ADJOINING THE POST OFFIOE. 







32 



relating to stamps being "kept clean" are only printed on the 
later issue. From this it is evident that there must have been 
two different issues, at least of the two smaller notes. 

SIMON NEWTON. 
430 Hamilton Avenue, 

Detroit, Mich., February 3, 1917. 



i ;l"1 




1 . li 


1 1 kliiitt a Elates 


S0i 

i 



Accessions to the Museum 

Two framed drawings by George C. Mason — one of the "Glen," 
the other of " Newport from Fort Dunham." 

Donor : Mrs. M. J. Leary 
Collection of Egyptian relics from Hon. Daniel B. Fearing. 
Collection of manuscript documents, being mostly shipping pa- 
pers dated Newport, 1 785-1 800. 

Donors : Dr. Henry Barton Jacobs and 
Mr. Hamilton B. Tompkins. 
Colored Print " The Yacht Squadron at Newport," 1872. 

Donors : Dr. Jacobs and Mr. Tompkins. 
Gavel made from wood of Gilbert Stuart's birthplace in Narra- 
ragansett — made by Mr. J. McK. Southwick. 

Donor: Miss Mary E. Powel. 
The sword worn by Com. Oliver Hazard Perry during the battle 
of Lake Erie. Deposited by Capt. Perry Belmont. 



33 



Accessions to the Library 

GIFTS 

History of Newport County, 1638-1887. By Richard M. Bayles. 
Representative Men and Old Families of Rhode Island — 3 vols. 
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the end of 
the Century. A History. By Edward Field, A. B. — 3 vols. 
Donor: Mr. Charles P. Coggeshall. 



Pamphlets and books on the War. 

Donors : Sir Gilbert Parker, Prof. Macneile Dixon 
and others, England. 



Annals of Trinity Church, Newport, R. I., 1682-1821. 
Annals of Trinity Church, Newport, R. I., 1821-1890. 

Donor: Hon. George Peabody Wetmore. 



Publications of different societies including: (by exchange) 
State Historical Society of Wisconsin. 
New York Public Library. 
Massachusetts Historical Society. 
Peoples Library, Newport, R. I. 
Redwood Library, Newport, R. I. 
New Hampshire Historical Society. 
New Bedford, Mass., Public Library. 
Newport Garden Club. 



Alpine Journal. 1863-1902. 21 vols. 

Donor: Mrs. DeLancey Kane. 



BOOK FUND 

Remarkable Providences Illustrative of the Earlier Days of Amer- 
ican Colonization. By Increase Mather. 

The Wonders of the Invisible World. Being an account of the 
tryals of several witches lately executed in New England. 
By Cotton Mather, D. D. To which is added a farther 
account of the tryals of the New England witches by In- 
crease Mather D. D., President of Harvard College. 

Some Neglected History of North Carolina. By Wm. Edward 
Fitch, M. D. 

Correspondence of William Pitt — when Secretary of State with 
Colonial Governors and Military and Naval Commissioners 
in America. By Gertrude Selwyn Kimball. 

34 



SOCIETY NOTES 



Since the publication of the last 
Bulletin, the affairs of the Society 
have proceeded in a most satisfac- 
tory manner. The new Secretary 
has entered most diligvfntly into 
his labors, and his many old friends 
in the Society feel great pleasure 
in having him with us. 

Much attention is being given 
to the library, which is more valu- 
able than is probably appreciated 
by most of our members. Under 
the charge of Mrs, Charles C. 
Gardner, a complete and up to date 
catalogue is being made by Miss 
Weaver, and it is hoped that by 
the new arrangement of books, its 
usefulness, which has ever been 
great, may be increased. 

Our Society took part in the re- 
ception of the Japanese Commis- 
sioners who lately visited our city. 
On Sunday afternoon, the sixteenth 
of September, they were welcomed 
to our building by a few words 
from our First Vice President, and 
by a large number of the members 
of the Society. Count Ishii and 
his associates manifested much in- 
terest in our historical collections, 
especially in the Japanese room, 
where there are pictures and relics 
relating to Commodore Perry's 
visit to Japan, when, through his 
efforts, that country was first 
opened to foreigners. 



It is a great satisfaction to the 
officers of the Society to realize 
the continued use which is being 
made of our meeting room. When 
the new building was erected, it 
was so planned that this charming 
little old church might become the 
meeting place of literary and phil- 
anthropic organizations, who are 
always welcome to its use. 

New members elected since issue 
of last bulletin. 

SUSTAINING MEMBERS 

Miss S. D. Hliss. 
Mrs. William S. Sims 
Miss Edna Barger 

ANNUAL MEMBERS 

Mrs. Andrew Turner. 

Mr. William J. Walsh. 

Mrs. Samuel Powel. 

Miss Kate deC. Birckhead. 

Mr. Guy C. Caldwell. 

Mr. John K. Walsh. 

Mr. William H. Tibbetts. 

Miss Loresta P>ench. 

Mrs. George H. Richardson. 

Mr. William P. Clarke. 

Mr. James P. Taylor. 

Mr. Joseph G. Stevens, 2d. 

Miss Lillian Pearson. 

Mr. Clarence Bateman. 

Mr. Edward Wanton Smith. 

Mr. Henry R. Taber. 

Dr. William J. Hull. 

Mrs. Wm. T. Libby 

Mr. Charles P. Coggeshall 



85 



OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Newport Historical Society 

For the year ending May^ igi8 



President, DANIEL B. FEARING 
First Vice-President, RODERICK TERRY 

Second Vice-President, FRANK K. STURGIS 

Third Vice-President, ALFRED TUCKERMAN 
Recording Secretary, JOHN P. SANBORN 
Corresponding Secretary, MAUD LYMAN STEVENS 
Treasurer, HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. 
Librarian, LLOYD M. MAYER 
Curator of Coins and Medals, EDWIN P. ROBINSON 

Members op the Board of Directors 
for three years 

MRS. HAROLD BROWN MISS EDITH M. TILLEY 

MRS. RICHARD C. DERBY DR. WILLIAM S. SHERMAN 

FOR TWO YEARS 

MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS 

MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT 

FOR ONE YEAR 

MRS. C. L. F. ROBINSON GEORGE V. DICKEY 

JONAS BERGNER LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE 

36 




2,O0ND 



